Day 20 hits different when the hospital stay turns into a full-on relocation. Bill is finally recovering and we even have a discharge date, but getting from hospital number two to hospital number three (acute rehab) becomes a four-hour marathon of paperwork, waiting, traffic, valet check-in, and one very humbling reality: we look like a hot mess. I’m talking bracelets still on, an IV wrap, Snoopy pajama bottoms, vascular boots, a duffel bag stuffed with clothes, and me trying to keep it together while we roll through a building that feels way too big for the amount of help you can actually find.

At home, the caregiver life doesn’t pause. I’m exhausted mentally and physically, and sleep gets weird when you’re alone in the house and your pets can’t make sense of the new normal. The cat gets louder at night, wants food and attention, and seems determined to start the day before sunrise. Add in rehab rules like needing fresh clothes every day, plus a broken washer that forces laundromat runs, and you’ve got the kind of stress that doesn’t look dramatic from the outside but slowly drains you anyway. We also talk about what caregiver burnout feels like in real time, and why “I’m doing my best” has to count.

Then there’s the part that stays with me: navigating long, vacant hospital corridors with locked doors, empty stations, and the kind of silence that makes you second-guess your own sense of direction. On the first night, a strange coincidence brings grief to the surface and reminds me how memory can show up in the middle of logistics. If you’ve ever had to navigate the healthcare system, manage a hospital transfer, or hold down a home life while someone you love heals, you’ll feel this one. Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating and review. What’s the most exhausting “small thing” you’ve dealt with while caring for someone?

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A 60/40 blood pressure reading at 11 pm is the kind of number that makes your whole world go quiet. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m sharing a very real update on why there was no episode last week: my husband landed in the hospital after a string of scary episodes that looked and sounded like a stroke. He was slurring his speech, not making sense, and completely unlike himself and I had to make calls fast while he resisted going to the ER.

I walk you through how I tried to rule things out at home using what many families rely on: a blood pressure cuff, an oxygen meter, and his diabetes tech, including an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. When glucose was normal, the mystery got bigger, and the fear got sharper. You’ll hear how we leaned on a neighbor, what nurses later taught me about using salt when blood pressure is dangerously low, and why the “do what you have to do” moments can feel both absurd and lifesaving.

From there, we get into the hospital maze: admissions, tests, discharge plans that didn’t sit right with me, and the decision to move him to a higher standard of care at Cedars-Sinai for more exploratory testing and medication changes. The working diagnosis is orthostatic hypotension, and I talk honestly about what long hospital stays do to strength and mobility, why acute rehab and intensive physical therapy can be the safer bridge home, and how caregiving pressure collides with jobs, pets, and basic exhaustion.

If you’ve ever had to advocate for a partner, manage low blood pressure symptoms, or push for answers when doctors are still searching, you’ll feel seen here. Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, share this with someone who’s caregiving right now, and please leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.

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Sports are everywhere, and somehow we’re all expected to have strong opinions, favorite teams, and the stamina to watch a three-hour game on a weeknight. We’re not doing that. We’re getting honest about what it’s like to be a casual sports fan, why some games feel impossible to sit through, and how you can still enjoy the culture without forcing yourself into someone else’s version of fandom.

We talk football from the perspective of someone who loves a big moment but struggles with the slow buildup, then shift to baseball and why it’s more fun once you understand the strategy behind every pitch. From there, we share the surprise sport that finally hooked us: ice hockey. Watching the Vegas Golden Knights during a Stanley Cup playoff run made everything click, even without knowing all the terms. It’s fast, dramatic, and it rewards attention in a way that feels refreshing.

We also get real about the live game experience: parking, walking, food lines, bathroom lines, sun, cost, and the legendary challenge of getting out of Dodger Stadium. We touch on the World Cup energy in the Los Angeles area, the jerseys and merchandise everywhere, and how sports operate as a massive industry that can still do real good through community outreach. If you’ve ever felt “not sporty enough” to join the conversation, you’ll feel seen here.

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The part nobody warns you about after a big fundraising event is the second job you inherit the next morning: follow-up. I’m coming off a major work push and trying to climb out of the backlog with unpaid silent auction items, pledge drive confusion, and the urgent need to get revenue in before the fiscal year closes. If you’ve ever stared at your to-do list and thought, “How is this still my problem ten days later,” you’ll feel seen. 

I break down the real mechanics of nonprofit event planning and fundraising operations, including coordinating auction item pickup and delivery, tracking winners who haven’t paid, and managing pledges from a paddle raise. I also share what a dessert dash looks like on the ground, why it can confuse a room, and how those small live-moment choices still add up in dollars raised. When support disappears and you’re suddenly doing the legwork alone, “catching up” becomes a strategy problem, not a motivation problem. 

Then I zoom out to home life, because work overload doesn’t pause your dishes, laundry, or the yard. I talk about taking three days off, trying to recover, and using a “zones” approach to chip away at chaos without needing a perfect plan. That includes the very real saga of Christmas inflatables and extension cords that sat outside long enough to get muddy and attract snails, plus the oddly satisfying win of cleaning, boxing, and storing them before summer heat hits. 

If you’re navigating adulting, burnout, time management, and work-life balance, come listen and take what you need. Follow the Only Child Diaries Podcast, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a friend who’s also trying to catch up.

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If you’ve ever hit the finish line of a huge work project and immediately felt your body power down, you’ll recognize this one. I’m fresh off a major nonprofit fundraising event I led at my agency, and I’m talking candidly about what it means to work hard, work too hard, and then deal with the adrenaline crash that comes after the applause fades. When you’re a perfectionist with high standards, it’s easy to believe you’re supposed to carry every outcome on your shoulders, even the parts you couldn’t control.

I walk through the real behind-the-scenes pressure of fundraising event planning and nonprofit event management, from learning new auction software and managing sponsor details to building seating charts and coordinating vendors. I also share what went wrong, including a caterer showing up an hour late, and why I still felt responsible even when it technically wasn’t my fault. That tension, pride in your work mixed with relentless self-criticism, is one of the fastest paths to burnout.

We also talk about something that rarely gets scheduled but always arrives: recovery. After weeks of 55 to 60 hour workweeks, long commutes, and late nights, rest isn’t a reward, it’s basic stress recovery and self-care. And because life keeps happening, I’m also staring down the backlog of car maintenance, chores, and the simple need to step outside. Plus, there’s a funny twist at the end involving a beautiful thank-you gift that disappears and a mysterious shortage of 30 rental plates.

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“I’m too busy” is the easiest line to say and one of the hardest to hear when you’re the one waiting on a reply. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m coming to you from a week where busy isn’t a vibe, it’s a fundraiser deadline, a mountain of details, and the reality of doing more without the administrative backup you wish you had.

I talk through what “busy” looks like inside nonprofit event planning, remote work, and limited staff capacity, then I get into the part that really stings: when people disappear from your inbox and later act like silence is normal. We can all have different limits, but professional communication still matters. A 10-second message like “I can’t get to this until next week” is basic email etiquette, and it protects trust, timelines, and relationships.

From there, the story gets more personal. I’m juggling caregiver stress at home, chronic health appointments, pet care that requires daily meds, and the never-ending friction of chores and broken appliances. I also circle back to something I realized after last week’s conversation, owning where I push others to get help while I’m scared to face my own cataract surgery.

Then grief hits. I share news of a death that caught me off guard and the regret that comes with “I meant to call.” If you’ve been putting off reaching out to someone, let this be your nudge. Listen, share this with a friend, and subscribe, rate, and review Only Child Diaries so more people can find us. What’s one message you can send today?

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Your pride can be louder than your problems, and sometimes it’s the real thing keeping you stuck. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m sharing a very real adulting moment from my own house: my husband’s hearing got worse, a hearing test confirmed hearing loss, and suddenly we had to face the next step. Not just the technology, but the feelings that come with it, the quiet denial, the worry about what it “means,” and the resistance that shows up as heavy sighs and stubborn silence.

What happens next surprised me. I spotted a hearing aids package deal on QVC that checked the boxes people actually care about: rechargeable devices, a protection plan (important when the person wearing them tends to lose things), and a Zoom call with a technician to get the setup right. That call turned out to be the difference between “this is awkward” and “this is working.” Once he tried the hearing aids, he could finally hear the TV at my level, and before long he’s noticing sounds he hasn’t heard clearly in years.

From there, I zoom out into the bigger health conversation: why do we hesitate to fix what’s fixable? Hearing loss, cataracts, knee pain, migraines, dental work, glasses, medication, surgery, preventive care, it all comes back to the same question. If there’s a solution that could make you feel 20% to 40% better, wouldn’t you want to know? Listen, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Only Child Diaries.

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My cat isn’t “needy” in the cute way. He’s the kind of bonded that makes you rethink your whole schedule. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m telling the story of Bubby, my not-so-cuddly rescue cat who somehow became my shadow, my routine, and yes, one of my most codependent relationships.

Bubby shows up at our barn like a lot of barn cats do, half-mystery and fully scrappy, collecting names from everyone who feeds him. Over time, he picks me. Eventually, after my elderly bunny Holly passes away, my husband Bill and I bring Bubby home, and he falls hard for the indoor life: soft beds, carpets, and the predictability of a house. The twist is that even with his independent streak, he bonds so tightly that my absence can send him spiraling.

Now Bubby is around 15 or 16 and dealing with real senior cat health issues, including diabetes and asthma. Add cat anxiety and separation stress, and ordinary things like going to the office, having a plumber visit, or living next to loud construction can turn into pacing, crying at the door, and even vomiting. I share what our vet recommended, including gabapentin for anxiety and why a transdermal option can be a lifesaver when your cat refuses pills, plus how I’m trying to keep our home calm and “Zen” when life doesn’t cooperate.

If you’ve ever felt pet parent guilt, worried about your anxious cat, or wondered where the line is between love and codependency, you’ll see yourself here. Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, share this with a friend who loves their pet like family, and leave a rating and review so more people can find us.

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Free time is supposed to feel like relief, so why does it so often feel like another problem to solve? I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m talking honestly about what happens when work takes up your energy, not just your hours, and you reach the end of the day with nothing left for the life you’re trying to build. If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t “use your weekend better,” this conversation is for you.

I dig into the real texture of downtime: the one full day off, the mental exhaustion that follows a packed week, and the constant tug-of-war between errands and rest. I share what I actually do when I finally have space, from getting outside for yard work and plant care to choosing low-effort recovery like binge watching and phone puzzles. I also talk about the pressure of home projects, why a simple goal like painting one room can feel huge, and how time management gets messy when appointments and household admin pile up.

We also get into the gray area that so many adults live in: are pet chores, cleaning, and maintenance tasks “free time” if you don’t mind them? When does a task become self-care, and when is it just more work wearing a nicer outfit? If you’re chasing better work-life balance, healthier boundaries, and a more realistic definition of rest, you’ll leave with a calmer way to think about your time.

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Your neighborhood tells the truth, even when nobody says a word. On a simple walk around my block, I start noticing the full range of “home life on display” we all live with: the perfect place that looks untouched, the normal houses with leggy plants and brown patches, the flower bed that needs attention. Whether you’re in a single-family home, a condo, or an apartment, the patterns are weirdly universal and they say a lot about time, money, energy, and how hard adulting can be when you feel like you never got the how-to brochure. 

I also talk about the house that looks abandoned, the one with the cracked driveway, the weeds, and the lights that never seem to come on. It’s the kind of place that makes neighbors invent stories, and it pushes me to think about the difference between judgment and curiosity, and what empathy looks like when you only have a few visible clues. 

Then I bring it home, literally. I’m honest about my own organization struggles: a yard that’s doing pretty well, a front porch that’s doing… not so well, and the reality of keeping “my stuff” plus family things from multiple generations. Add a busy season and an upcoming event, and you get the cherry on top: I buy a new Halloween decoration in April, clean out the car to haul a giant box, and immediately face the question we all dodge, where is this going to live? 

We end with something that feels grounding: taking plant cuttings to Regrow Altadena and driving through areas still recovering after the Eaton fire. If you like reflective stories about home, habits, community, and adulting with humor, subscribe to Only Child Diaries, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.

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One burnt piece of sourdough can teach you more about adulting than a stack of self-help books. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m trying something small but surprisingly hard: cooking at home just one night a week instead of defaulting to DoorDash and Grubhub.

We’ve been homebodies lately between recovery, health needs, and the simple convenience of streaming and staying in. So ordering delivery has become our nightly routine and it’s easy to ignore the real cost until you finally do the math. I talk through that moment of “wait, how much are we spending?” and why cooking for beginners isn’t just about recipes, it’s about time, energy, and keeping meals workable when there are medical and dietary limits in the mix.

Then I take you into my very relatable kitchen mishap: turkey burgers, asparagus, a missing spatula, and toast so burned the toaster starts smoking. I share how I salvaged dinner, what the chaos revealed about multitasking, and why simple home cooking plans beat ambitious recipes when you’re building confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you missed the life manual, this is your reminder that progress can look like a slightly charred sandwich.

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Two weeks. One missing document. A login process that somehow requires a selfie, a scanned ID, and a phone number the system insists is “linked” to you in a very specific way. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m taking you along for a painfully real tax-season quest: getting my husband’s Social Security statement so we can finish our taxes without punting everything to a tax extension.

Along the way, I break down what it actually feels like to set up a my Social Security online account right now, including the new identity verification steps, why the phone confirmation step can derail the whole thing, and how quickly a “quick download” becomes a full-blown administrative maze. If you’ve ever fought with a government website, password resets, two-factor authentication, or customer service chat loops, you’ll recognize the stress spiral immediately.

But there’s a bigger question under the humor and frustration: who gets left behind when essential services assume you’re tech-savvy, have the “right” phone plan, and can jump through every hoop without help? I share the moment it finally worked, why I literally cried from relief, and what I wish were different about digital identity checks, Social Security access, and basic usability for real people with real lives.

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Easter can be sacred, sentimental, or just plain sweet and I’ve felt all three at different times. I’m sharing the kind of memories that stick: going to church as a kid, the odd tradition of buying Easter lilies, and the absolute thrill of waking up to an Easter basket left by the “Easter Bunny” after I set out carrots on the washing machine. With adult eyes, I also can’t ignore the hilarious logic gaps, like why the carrot was only half-eaten. 

From there, I get into the real heart of my childhood Easter traditions: a See’s Candy Easter basket with a chocolate bunny, dyeing eggs the day before, and running around the backyard during an Easter egg hunt. I also talk about the parts people don’t always say out loud, like how we loved decorating hard-boiled eggs way more than eating them, and how traditions can shift when your family isn’t especially religious or when life simply changes pace. If you’re searching for Easter nostalgia, family holiday traditions, or simple springtime rituals, you’ll feel right at home here. 

Then things take a turn into my current version of holiday spirit: seasonal decorating that refuses to quit. There’s a Halloween hearse carriage still sitting in the front yard, a skeleton driver that keeps getting new accessories, and yes, bunny ears made an appearance. It’s funny, a little ridiculous, and somehow very wholesome, especially when neighbors stop to take pictures. If you’ve ever wondered what holidays really mean once the kid stuff fades, this one is for you. 

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Spring hits, and suddenly it seems like everything blooms at once. I’m talking about the kind of spring gardening that feels like a reset: wandering a gorgeous local plant nursery, getting pulled in by rows of color, and convincing myself I’m only buying one thing before walking out with petunias and violas. Along the way, I admit a very real temptation to shop QVC, including the moment I realized I didn’t even know whether violas were just pansies (spoiler: they’re not).

Then reality shows up in the most predictable form possible: squirrels. I share what’s actually working for me right now, like using hanging baskets and light netting to protect sweet peas, plus the ongoing patience required when plants take their time. We also get into camellias, from early bloomers to late waves, and the frustration of buds that drop year after year. Add heavy rain, blown-out blossoms, oak tree debris, sap, and fast-growing weeds, and you’ve got the full messy backyard update.

The most meaningful part of the conversation is how gardening can turn into community care. I talk about propagating succulent cuttings and creeping Charlie to donate through Regrow Altadena, a spot helping neighbors replace plants after the Eden fire. If you’re craving practical garden tips, honest problem-solving, and a reminder that small wins still matter, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, share this with a fellow plant person, and leave a rating and review so more listeners can find us.

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Your birthday can be your favorite day of the year… until real life shows up with heat, exhaustion, and someone you love struggling to walk. I’m Tracy Wallace, and I’m sharing a birthday story that starts with a simple belief: my birthday is MY day. Not a “big production” day, not a “perform happiness for everyone else” day, just a day where I get to choose what matters to me.

That choice gets tested fast. My husband is recovering from herniated discs and working hard in physical therapy, so we try a gentle outing to Knott’s Berry Farm with realistic expectations. What happens next is a very honest look at adulting, caregiving, and boundaries: the constant sitting, the grumpiness that pain can bring, and the moment it becomes clear we need help to get out safely. I walk through how I advocate in the moment, why I refuse to let a bad stretch ruin the whole day, and how asking for help can protect everyone’s dignity.

The day also bumps up against something deeper: grief. My birthday sits close to the anniversary of losing our horse, and that kind of loss doesn’t stay neatly in the past. I talk about what it looks like to compartmentalize when you can, to let yourself feel what’s real, and to keep reaching for the small “happy parts” so sadness doesn’t take the whole season.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t get the how-to brochure on life, this one will hit home. Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend then tell me: how do you make your own day when life won’t cooperate?

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Life has a way of crowding out the basics, until your body forces the issue. I’m sharing what the last several months have really looked like for me: supporting a friend through loss, handling the ripple effects at home, and then helping husband Bill through herniated discs, physical therapy and a nerve block while trying to keep my own life moving. Somewhere in the middle of all that, my own health maintenance started flashing overdue. 

I walk through the real-world logistics of getting preventive care done when you’re short on time and energy: scheduling fasting labs, fitting in a physical, and stacking appointments so you’re not making multiple trips across traffic. We talk migraine prevention meds and how quickly things can go sideways if you miss doses, plus what it feels like to open lab results and see a lot of red before you see the green. There’s also an honest look at cholesterol frustration, cravings, and why weight loss can feel glacially slow, especially as birthdays and aging milestones creep up. 

We also get practical about adult vaccines and side effects. I share what I’ve had already, what my doctor recommends next, and how I decide when I can’t afford downtime. Along the way, I’m reminding all of us to be our own health advocate, keep up with screenings like mammograms and gyn visits, and treat the body like it needs regular maintenance. And yes, work stress is still there too, including the pressure of fundraising and finding sponsors when the economy is tight. 

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What happens when the clock jumps forward, your diabetic cat needs precision, and a bobcat picks your block for a fly-by? We open up about a week where tiny shifts—sixty minutes, a pawstep on pavement, a chirp from a toilet—reshape everything from pet care to peace of mind. The story starts with daylight savings and the awkward dance of moving Bubbie’s insulin shots without rattling his rhythm. We break down the half-hour step method, why consistency matters for glucose, and how to keep your head when the “old time vs. new time” math gets messy.

From there, we head into our canyon, where later light feels like an extra layer of safety. Coyotes are familiar neighbors; the bobcat is new. Without glasses, the shape is a riddle until it’s close enough to read the tufted ears and confident stride. Brownie, our 14-pound warrior, goes silent and focused instead of loud and brave, reminding us that instinct can be wiser than ego. We talk practicals for shared spaces with wildlife—leash management, route choices, reading animal behavior—and the wonder that comes with seeing a wild cat up close while still choosing the smart retreat.

The week’s third plot twist arrives at home: a mechanical chirp every time the faucet runs, followed by a city alert for unusual water use. With our plumber away, we walk through a simple diagnostic checklist, find the culprit, and kill the noise with a twist of a shutoff valve. It’s a small, satisfying win that saves both stress and water. Along the way, we tie together three themes—time, nature, maintenance—and the common skill they require: noticing early. We reflect on how a little vigilance with clocks, critters, and pipes can keep life steadier, safer, and a lot less expensive.

If our mix of humor, real-life pet care, canyon wildlife, and homeowner problem-solving hits home, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with a friend who juggles pets, nature, or a quirky house. Your support helps others find us and keeps these stories coming.

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What happens when your best intentions can’t outrun a crowded life? I open up about a week where everything hit at once: a demanding remote job, caregiving my husband, lingering duties after a friend’s loss, and a stack of guest pitches I couldn’t answer fast enough. From the outside it looks like flakiness; on the inside it feels like triage. I talk about the gap between being human and being “on,” and what it costs when we pretend the gap isn’t there.

There’s another layer I’ve avoided: a betrayal by someone I loved like family. Years have passed, but a chance sighting across a recent event brought the whole story back with a jolt. I didn’t chase a moment of closure; I chose to walked away. Still, the body remembers. I share how that aftermath shows up—anger, sleepless loops—and how small, steady choices like a daily half-mile dog walk help me turn spirals into circles that close.

This episode sits with limits, boundaries, and self-forgiveness. We explore realistic time management when a passion project meets real-life bandwidth, how to set expectations with potential guests, and why a simple ritual can anchor your day when everything else feels negotiable. I reflect on the decades-long arc from confusion to humility—how my 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s promised certainty, and why my 60s keep teaching me to hold grace instead. If you’ve ever felt ghosted, guilty, or gutted by someone you trusted, you’ll find language for the mess and a few gentle tools to keep going.

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What makes the Olympics feel so personal that you end up crying on your couch for athletes you just met two weeks ago? We open up about the real reasons the Games hit the heart: the grind behind those brief highlight packages, the unglamorous math of surgeries and rehab, and the way mental health pressure can rattle even the most prepared minds. This isn’t a sports recap—it’s a look at resilience, belonging, and the quiet support that makes public courage possible.

We trace the arc from catastrophic injuries to improbable comebacks and name the part TV usually trims out: bodies heal imperfectly and still choose joy. Along the way we talk about performance anxiety, the weight of a global audience, and how social media makes every stumble feel louder. The conversation turns tender when the camera finds the families—parents, siblings, and grandparents coaching and cheering from the stands. As an only child, those scenes land with a mix of awe and ache, a reminder that not everyone grows up with a built‑in cheer squad and that we can build one later through friends, partners, and communities that clap for effort as much as outcomes.

We also share a candid life update: a new pain management team for my husband, a scheduled nerve block, and a practical plan that finally feels aligned. No gimmicks, no odd detours—just clinicians who listened, respected our goals, and offered a path forward while we keep working on strength. The throughline ties back to the Games: progress is often quiet, support is the difference, and success isn’t only a medal or a number. It’s being seen, telling the truth about what hurts, and moving anyway.

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Ever feel stuck between what absolutely has to get done and the few things you ache to do for yourself? That’s the tightrope we walk this week as I navigate my husband’s pain plan, an onslaught of rain, and a to-do list that keeps multiplying before breakfast. The theme is simple but stubborn: deciding what truly matters when caregiving, home maintenance, and your own body’s limits all demand first place.

We open with a candid update on Bill’s nerve block wearing off, the new medication that’s giving him breathing room, and the logistics behind scheduling another procedure—wheelchairs, long drives, and the kind of planning that swallows afternoons. From there, I map the daily caregiving routine: feeding and safe transfers, heavy deliveries that still need lifting, and the small nonnegotiables like cleaning the litter box that keep the household running. Rain complicates everything—tarping a leaky car, moving gear under cover, and reckoning with time you didn’t budget. Sleep, which I’ve tried to protect, gets squeezed by early-morning construction next door, so I share what fatigue really does to decision-making and how one quiet holiday morning became a much-needed reset.

There’s also the moment I nearly fainted and the unexpected comfort of a cat who refused to leave my side. Then a tough scene: finding a drowned squirrel in a rain-filled trash can, and what that says about capability, boundaries, and when to ask for help. Finally, I get honest about back pain and arthritis—why rest isn’t the fix, how movement and physical therapy matter, and why I’m pushing myself toward an MRI despite my claustrophobia. The throughline is practical: a simple triage that prioritizes safety, health, and one meaningful “want” that keeps me connected to myself.

If this sounds like your life—too many musts, too few maybes—press play, take what helps, and share it with someone who needs a little grace today. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s the one “want” you’ll protect this week?

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What do you hold on to when progress backtracks overnight? I open up about living with uncertainty after my husband’s nerve block—celebrating the good PT days, bracing for sudden flares, and learning to treat every pain-free hour like a win. This is a candid look at caregiving, the messy timelines of recovery, and the quiet work of staying hopeful when the medical maze keeps shifting.

We walk through the practical steps and emotional pivots: moving from home PT to a specialized clinic, dealing with illnesses that pushed our schedule back, and the roller coaster of “he’s standing straighter” followed by “the pain is back when he sits.” I share what doctors told us about nerve blocks, how blood thinner pauses affect timing, and why advocacy matters when you’re trying to balance conservative care with humane pain management. If you’ve ever been told “no one knows how long it lasts,” you’ll recognize the blend of patience, persistence, and careful note-taking that keeps a plan afloat.

A surprising thread in our week was the Winter Olympics. Watching athletes from around the world show up under pressure reframed our own fight for small, steady gains. It reminded me that listeners join us from every corner of the globe, each carrying their own version of resilience. We talk about gratitude without glossing over the frustration, practical ways to prepare for calls and appointments, and the mindset shift from chasing perfect days to counting meaningful moments.

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Some weeks feel like a collage: a cough that won’t totally quit, a cat who ignores dinner when the heat rises, a dog who thinks every block is a parade, and a lawn that finally answers back with the thinnest line of green. This conversation sits right in that mix—COVID recovery that’s mostly there but not quite, and the tender work of reclaiming energy, taste, and laughter one small step at a time.

We get candid about what healing actually looks like when it doesn’t follow a clean arc. Tracy shares how she managed post-COVID fatigue, the odd flatness of flavor, and why masking and vaccines still matter. The thermostat ping-pongs between AC and heat, and the pets set the pace: insulin gets adjusted for a finicky, diabetic cat; the dog’s longer loop becomes the day’s quiet victory. Meanwhile, years of drought thinking meet a rainy season and a stubborn front yard. Seeding the lawn feels like a bet on the future, and the first sprouts reward patience despite canyon shade, crabgrass, and flying debris from next-door construction.

Grief and news fatigue land hard, too. The passing of Catherine O’Hara stirs memories of SCTV and the offbeat humor that shaped a personal voice, and it pairs with the emotional strain of watching relentless headlines. We talk about protecting empathy, setting media boundaries, and choosing where attention can actually heal. Through it all, the theme is steady: care for what is yours to tend. That might be a garden, a glucose meter, a hoarse laugh, or a half-mile walk that proves the lungs are learning again.

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The Covid cough won’t let me laugh yet, and somehow chocolate lost its spell. What in the hell happened to me??? That’s where this story starts: a real-time look at COVID recovery that trades drama for honesty. I talk through the positive test, the decision to get to urgent care quickly, and how Paxlovid likely kept things from getting scary. Then we get into the long haul—chest congestion, a thin appetite, and the strange peace of simple food. Soup, no dairy, low salt, and the slow work of rest have become the rhythm, while my dog negotiates for longer walks I can’t quite deliver.

I’ve also been thinking about the forces that shape us, and one topic came to me: gullibility, especially through the lens of being an only child. Without siblings as a reference point, I learned some lessons the hard way. I share a childhood moment that rewired my instincts and trace how those patterns show up in adult relationships. We explore practical tools for spotting red flags without turning cynical: listen for consistency, compare timelines, and ask calm follow-up questions. When stories wobble, it might be deceit, it might be privacy, or it might be someone telling you what they think you want to hear. Either way, let boundaries do the heavy lifting and match your trust to the reliability you see.

If you’re curious about how health choices intersect with everyday life, there’s plenty here—COVID symptoms, treatment, taste changes, and why vaccination matters even when you’re otherwise healthy. If you’ve ever struggled to balance generosity with discernment, you’ll find scripts and signals to keep your heart open and your eyes clear. Press play to join me for a grounded, candid conversation that puts care and truth at the center. If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little honesty today.

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A scratchy throat, a stubborn cough, and a little denial—then a swab that changed the story. We open up about the week with a confirmed COVID case, the scramble to start Paxlovid, and the practical steps that made each day a little easier. From hydration habits and cough management to why gentle movement beats bed-bound stillness, this is a grounded walkthrough of what recovery really looks like when life refuses to quiet down.

You’ll hear how vaccine timing shaped the experience, what delayed boosters taught us, and how age and secondary infection risks sharpen the stakes. We talk through the pharmacy and insurance hurdles that can slow treatment when minutes matter, share the foods and routines that calmed symptoms, and explain why soft meals, no dairy, and steady fluids made a difference. We also get real about living through chaos: sunrise beeps from a major home renovation next door, sleep disrupted for days, and a stressed-out cat who needed extra care right when we had the least energy to give it.

This candid, step-by-step account blends personal experience with practical takeaways: get vaccinated, seek care early, move just enough to keep lungs clear, and build a routine you can sustain. If you’ve been on the fence about boosters or unsure when to go to urgent care, consider this your nudge to choose the safer path. Listen now, subscribe for more honest stories, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s the one habit that helped you bounce back from being sick? Share it with us.

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Rain soaked Los Angeles, the Rose Parade turned soggy, and my holiday lights kept tripping like they were on a timer from the weather gods—so I used the mess as a nudge to start fresh. I share how a wet week, a sick spouse, and a very determined 14-pound chihuahua pushed me to restart my daily walks, rethink my habits, and listen to what my body and data keep telling me.

We get practical about movement with cranky joints: what helped my feet, how copper socks lowered the barrier to longer walks, and why walking in short bursts still builds strength and eases back pain from arthritis. I unpack a local research lab visit where I tested lipoprotein(a) for heart risk and opted into a blood-based screen tied to early Alzheimer’s risk. The results were a mixed bag—good news on risk, an A1C at 5.7 nudging me toward steadier routines—and they landed right as holiday stress made better choices feel harder. Instead of aiming for perfect, I map out realistic daily steps: move more, keep meals simple, and let sleep and stress management carry their weight.

Our little dog Brownie steals a few scenes too: refusing backyard drizzle but marching miles on a leash, guarding me from the mailman like a fluffy sentinel, and somehow knowing when our car turns onto the block. Those small moments reminded me that accountability can be playful and that consistency often starts with a leash, a timer, or a friend. If you’re facing rainy weather, borderline lab numbers, or a calendar that keeps slipping, you’ll find ideas here for building momentum when conditions aren’t ideal—plus a link to the socks that saved my feet.

If this resonates, tap follow, leave a review to help others find the show, and share it with someone who needs a gentle push to get moving today. What tiny change will you commit to this week?

"Magic" copper compression socks mentioned in this episode:  

https://tinyurl.com/7cyrtaur

To participate in the research study and find out about your risk for heart attack and Alzheimer's, here's the link to sign up, plus you will receive a stipend for your participation.  Locations throughout the United States.  

http://friends.careaccess.com/7f8Gfv

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A holiday decorating contest turned into a masterclass in rolling with the weather. The atmospheric river drenched our front yard display, shorted the circuits, and left our ten-foot Yeti with gravity-defying soggy fur. We didn’t take home the win, but we did find something better: perspective, humor, and a reminder that the brightest moments often come after plans go sideways.

From the driveway, the season threw another curveball—a couple inches of water pooled on the driver’s side floor of a ten-year-old SUV. We talk about quick fixes, patience, and the reality of aging seals when the sky refuses to cooperate. While mapping out an early-morning plan to catch the stealth bomber fly over the Rose Parade route, we navigate recovery needs and choose accessible viewing spots that make the tradition doable without a hike. Along the way, we reflect on the artistry behind parade floats, the powerful glue that holds petals and bark in place, and what happens when rain threatens months of volunteer work.

Back at home, our rain-averse dog adds comic timing to the mud and maintenance, and we get honest about what communities save—or don’t—when stormwater rushes to the ocean. Sleep becomes our north star, fueling recovery and the small daily choices that add up to resilience. If you’re juggling holiday expectations, weather setbacks, and the hope for a dry New Year’s moment, you’ll find solidarity here and a few ideas to make next time gentler and more fun.

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Holiday cheer meets home reality as a Southern California storm rolls in and puts a target on outdoor lights, inflatables, and carefully planned yard magic. I talk through the tradeoffs of beauty and safety—what happens when circuits shut down, mud takes over, and the sky ignores your calendar. There’s relief that it’s rain and not wildfire winds this year, plus a real wish that weather would wait until the decorations have their moment.

The season’s other curveballs pile up in honest, relatable ways. A mysterious wet patch in the backyard becomes a puzzle for the plumber, complete with delays and a side of anxiety about water damage. Caregiving shapes the daily rhythm as I clear paths, move pet obstacles, and celebrate the small win of steady walking inside the house. Fatigue shows up without warning; sleep helps, but the bigger fix is giving myself permission to slow down. Rest becomes a strategy instead of a last resort.

I also share the ongoing washing machine saga: laundromat trips, machines judged by smell, parts on backorder, and why a working washer might be the most underrated holiday gift. We keep the celebration simple—no indoor tree, no gift exchange, just a low-key plan with movies, easy meals, and dog walks that shift when neighbors travel. Through it all, the show’s community grows to 68 countries and nearly 700 cities, which feels like a gift of its own.

If you’re juggling storms, repairs, caregiving, and the pressure to make it all feel festive, this one’s for you. Press play for humor, practical perspective, and a reminder that “good enough” can still feel good. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with a friend who could use a calm, cozy listen.

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Joy doesn’t always arrive in a big moment; sometimes it shows up in a box that claims “25 minutes” and actually takes four hours, a friendly text from a great PT, or a yard that glows just enough to make strangers slow their cars. We set out to simplify holiday decorating after two hospital stays shifted our bandwidth, and we found a sweet spot between ambition and energy. With a giant Bumble from the 1964 Rudolph classic anchoring the display, seven inflatables, and a sensible trim of poinsettias, the lawn became a gentle celebration of resilience, community, and choosing what truly matters.

We walk through the real calculus of “scaling back” during recovery: getting help from a friend who can lift and assemble, honoring a body that’s still learning to sit up again, and embracing the small victories that rebuild dignity at home. Our farewell to Frank, our stellar home PT, marks a tender transition toward outpatient care, and we share the routines and mindset that bridge the gap. Along the way, the city’s holiday contest becomes less about winning and more about finishing something joyful, on our terms.

If you’re navigating a tough season, you’ll hear practical takeaways for right-sizing traditions, setting boundaries that protect your energy, and designing a celebration that sparks delight without tipping you into burnout. From neighbor reactions to the quiet satisfaction of a completed project, this story pairs twinkle lights with honest talk about healing, support, and the power of choosing one bright thing. Listen, share with a friend who could use a lift, and if the show brings you value, follow, rate, and leave a review so more listeners can find it.

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Caregiving rarely looks like the neat checklist people promise. We open the door on a week of small wins and stubborn setbacks: a partner recovering from bulging discs, the push to trade bed rest for hallway laps, and the work of finding motivation when every step aches. The house hums with real life—pets reacting to disrupted routines, a cat throwing up from stress, a dog glued to our sides—and we talk about how self care shifts from bubble baths to basic sleep, food, and the nerve to ask for help.

To keep our spirits up, we lean into seasonal rituals. A supposedly “eight-minute” Rudolph build becomes a comedy of tiny screws and a paperclip-sized hex key, and a storm-tossed Halloween hearse gets reborn as a Christmas carriage with garland reins. It’s playful, sure, but it’s also a blueprint for resilience: turn what’s broken into something joyful and keep moving. Along the way, we get honest about the creative itch that caregiving often sidelines. A late-night show about comedians sparks a question—do you miss writing?—and the answer sits with the limits of time and the promise to find space for art again.

We also pause to honor a friend’s dog, Boomer, and the kind of grief only people who love animals truly understand. That goodbye opens a wider reflection on the comfort pets bring and the gratitude they teach, even as loss lingers. If you’re navigating recovery, caregiving, pet anxiety, or the tug-of-war between daily demands and creative dreams, this conversation offers practical warmth and real companionship.

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Caregiving isn’t a tidy checklist; it’s a constant recalibration of energy, emotion, and logistics. In this episode, I'm talking about life after back-to-back hospital stays and what it takes to keep a home running when helpers still need help, the dog thinks every visitor is a threat, and the cat needs a calming plan to handle the foot traffic. That swirl forces hard choices, and I get candid about the small moments that protect sanity—like holding a long-delayed hair appointment as a promise to myself.

The heart of this conversation is practical compassion. We talk about why “put your oxygen mask on first” sounds simple yet feels impossible when physical therapy schedules collide with neuropathy flares. Thanksgiving becomes a lesson in doing less on purpose: skipping big cooking, embracing reheats, and spending a sunny afternoon in the garden reclaiming calm leaf by leaf. From there, we reset expectations for the holidays—lighter decorations, a friend’s help to swap seasonal boxes, and permission to live with a garage that looks like life happened, not like it was staged for a catalog.

We dig into the essentials that keep us steady: guarding sleep, making peace with imperfect routines, and treating the 20-minute dog walk as a micro win for body and mind. Working from home makes this season possible, but the weight is real, and we share the honesty of sore backs, tired mornings, and friendships that get fewer check-ins than we’d like. If you’re navigating caregiving, chronic illness at home, or just a season of overwhelm, this story offers validation and a playbook of small, repeatable choices that add up to resilience.

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Dry turkey on one side of the family, rum-soaked pudding on the other—somehow neither tasted like home. This week it's a re-release of my favorite funny Thanksgiving episode, and I'm pulling you into a holiday world where salt was outlawed, bay leaves did all the heavy lifting, and stuffing came from a box you didn’t want seconds of. It’s funny because it’s true, and it’s tender because it’s about more than food: it’s about learning to rewrite rituals, find the middle between deprivation and excess, and choose the kind of Thanksgiving that actually feeds you. The scary part? This actually happened to me!  

I trace the arc from childhood meals that missed the mark to the first adult revelation of a table with real flavor—where seasoning has courage and the stuffing finally delivers. There’s a detour to Skid Row with a volunteer badge and an unexpected lesson about impact when good intentions outnumber the plates. Then comes the career war story: an all-nighter on government proposals, a nap on a dining room floor, and a raw-turkey showdown at dawn that turns into a crash course in timing, triage, and gravy without a safety net.

By the end, we land in a realistic, humane place: smoked turkey, smart store-bought sides, one ambitious homemade dish, and the logistical comedy of someone who really wasn't raised to cook. The heart stays steady—gratitude for partners, pets, and the freedom to craft traditions that fit real lives. If you’ve ever laughed at a lumpy gravy, dodged a crowded grocery store at 8 a.m., or wondered how to make the holidays yours, you’ll feel seen here. Listen, share a laugh, and tell us your most chaotic Thanksgiving victory or fail. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this one to a friend who salts first and explains later.

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Twelve days in the hospital can blur into a single, sleepless memory. After an ER stretch that felt endless, we finally brought my husband home—but not before the big question families everywhere wrestle with: skilled nursing facility or recovery at home. 

I share a past experience guiding my thinking: my dad’s fall, a stint in rehab, and an underwhelming version of “more PT” that didn’t translate into real progress. That history didn’t force our hand, but it sharpened our questions about quality physical therapy, rest, and dignity. This time, community made the difference. Neighbors stepped up to walk our high-energy dog. Our pets—confused, then subdued—lit back up when he returned, reminding me that emotional care is part of medical recovery. Thirty steps from the car to the bed became a milestone, not just movement.

Caregiving is logistics and love in equal measure. LA traffic, parking, security lines, long hallways, and longer worries take a toll that numbers don’t capture. Choosing home shifted us from system-led routines to human-centered care: a no-fall rule, simple meals, structured rest, and steady check-ins from people who know us. The week’s rain—an atmospheric river—forced a slower rhythm and gave us the space to notice progress: better sleep, less pain, more calm.

If you’re on the edge of a similar choice, this story offers a practical lens: prioritize sleep, demand meaningful therapy, and build a small circle that shares the load. We’re not chasing perfect; we’re building momentum. Subscribe for more candid looks at adulthood’s hard decisions, share this with someone navigating care choices, and leave a review with your best home-healing tip so others can learn from your experience.

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The healthcare system doesn’t hand out a manual or a how-to brochure for that matter about how to deal with health issues. After a hospital discharged us with no pain meds and no clear plan because we declined surgery, we faced a stark choice: wait and watch strength fade, or push for access to a team that could actually help. In this episode, I walk you through the messy middle—how we navigated private medical transport when an ambulance wouldn’t cross districts, how a simple wheelchair pivot got us through ER doors, and why a 26-hour stay still felt like progress once a thoughtful plan came together.

You’ll hear what advocacy looks like at eye level. I talk about the emotional load: the exhaustion of showing up every day, the friction when a long-time diabetic gets talked down to, and the constant triage at home with pets, traffic, parking, and the Halloween lights that stubbornly stayed on while life and its challenges kept moving forward.

This conversation is for anyone who loves someone in pain, anyone juggling chronic conditions with acute crises, and anyone who suspects that “trust your doctor” needs the companion phrase “and verify the plan.” We share the small wins that sustain momentum, from a wheeled recliner that gave needed sleep to a care team willing to explain their thinking and aim for a selective nerve block once blood thinners clear. It’s a candid look at how to move from helpless to purposeful, one decision and one question at a time.

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This week's episode is abbreviated to say the least with my husband's health issues taking center stage!  Short updates on things going on.  Did you listen to last week's interview by the way?  

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What if the quiet of an only-child home becomes the engine for a louder, fuller life? Tracy sits down with Leslie Berlin to trace that arc—from a childhood shaped by early divorce and Sunday dinners with dad to a grown-up world built on cousins, neighbors, and in-laws who feel like true family. Leslie’s warmth and candor turn familiar worries into practical wisdom: how to learn confrontation without sibling sparring matches, how to make small holidays feel rich, and how to carry a caregiving load without carrying it alone.

The conversation opens a window into the everyday realities only children often face as adults. Leslie shares what it looked like to support her father through decline, then to become the point person for her 91-year-old mother—text threads, emojis, and all. She reminds us that siblings don’t guarantee shared responsibility, and networks don’t build themselves; you invite people in before life gets heavy. We also explore marriage into a big family, the beauty of seeing her two sons lean on each other, and the honest joy of a house that finally feels busy.

One of the most powerful parts of Leslie’s story centers on food allergies. Two decades ago, finding safe milk substitutes and nut-free options required detective work. Instead of staying anxious, she wrote a children’s book to help kids feel normal and included, even if that meant showing up with their own cupcake. It’s a blueprint for turning fear into service: notice the gap, do the work, and leave something useful behind. Along the way we trade comfort picks—Grease, Cars, and cake—and capture the simple advice Leslie would give her younger self: most people aren’t thinking about you, so live larger.

If this conversation resonates, follow Only Child Diaries, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s redefining what family means. Your support helps more listeners find stories that make them feel seen.

About Leslie Berlin:  

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-berlin-6974623b/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.r.berlin

You can find Leslie Berlin's book here:  

https://tinyurl.com/5hbryv9h

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What do you hold onto when the week unravels—when a hospital discharge turns into a maze of home care, a storm flattens your Halloween decorations, and the cat needs an ER visit at 1 a.m.? I walk through a stretch of days where everything asked for attention at once and explain how I kept moving by choosing a glass half-full approach.  

We start with my husband’s recovery plan: two bulging discs, a broken rib, and a team effort that includes a visiting nurse, physical therapy, a wound specialist, and a weekly aide. A standout moment arrives when our PT coaxes a first walk—20 or so steady steps that feel like a miracle. From there, the scene shifts to the front yard, where rain and wind test my Halloween display. An eight-foot headless horseman topples. Inflatables deflate. Lights go dark. I share the hacks that brought it back to life—tarps, patience, and an unglamorous amount of duct tape.

Mid-chaos, my own chest cold demands a slowdown, and then our diabetic cat crashes—vomiting, lethargic, glucose running high—pushing us into the overnight vet grind. IV fluids, anti-nausea meds, a dawn drive home, and a long nap later, he’s eating again and the house relaxes. These aren’t tidy plot lines; they’re the lived lessons of caregiving, pet health, and home logistics. Through it all, I keep returning to gratitude as a daily decision: a way to find small wins, protect energy, and set priorities that actually fit inside a human day. Recent losses in our circle underline the point—time is not guaranteed, and attention is our most powerful tool.

If this resonates—if you’ve juggled caregiving, recovery, or just a week that wouldn’t quit—tune in, ride along, and borrow what helps. Follow the show, leave a review so others can find it, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that small wins count.

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A cascade of pain, four falls, and a fractured rib turned a quiet week into a high-stakes navigation of hospital systems, protocols, and hard choices. We walk you through the unvarnished reality of being a caregiver when the lights of the ambulance meet the glow of Halloween decorations, the dog won’t stop barking, and the chart misses the most important details. From the ER intake to a five-day stay that demanded constant vigilance, we dig into medication mix-ups, the pharmacist “went home” moment, and why hydration and wound care can’t be afterthoughts for patients with fragile kidneys and complex histories.

The diagnosis—two bulging discs—forced a pivotal decision between surgery and conservative care. We share how a trusted endocrinologist stepped in to coordinate with a young spine surgeon, why steroids made sense but required tight glucose management, and how we pushed to secure prescriptions before discharge to avoid a weekend without relief. If you’ve ever had to repeat the same facts to every new face who enters the room, this story will feel familiar: advocacy isn’t optional; it’s the backbone of safe care.

Back home, we reset the house for recovery—clearing paths for a walker, coordinating a visiting nurse and PT, and trying to rest while fighting off a cold, wrangling taxes, and protecting inflatable Halloween classics from the rain. Along the way, we offer practical, field-tested tips: keep a one-page medical summary, build a go-bag, script your must-say lines, and create a backchannel with at least one clinician who will actually pick up. Press play for honesty, small wins, and a roadmap for anyone caring for someone they love in a system that doesn’t hand out how-to brochures.

If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a solid dose of validation and a few hard-won tactics.

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The week started with hope—physical therapy was finally helping my husband to build strength and balance—then it swerved into a nerve flare that turned my husband into a bedridden dependent partner that made me worry and exhausted at the same time. Caregiving isn’t glamorous; it’s small adjustments repeated with patience: finding a position that eases pain, measuring the day by steps, and choosing what gets dropped when everything can’t fit. I share how “in sickness and in health” moved from wedding language to lived logistics, and why love often sounds like, “I’ve got you—again.”

Between rounds of care, life kept arriving. I hosted a cultivation lunch for 25, then stood with friends at a memorial mass, trying to show up for grief with grace. To keep my head above water, I turned to Halloween—DIY ghosts, an inflatable, and the headless horseman my husband usually engineers. I’m not an animatronics person, but I learned on the fly. Early doubts turned into small wins, and those visible wins mattered when the rest of the week felt like quicksand. Sometimes you need proof that effort still produces joy.

We also wrestle with taxes, timing, and the eternal question: finish the paperwork before the decorations, or protect your sanity with a creative break? I admit the guilt, name a real deadline, and explain the hidden economy of hard weeks—how priorities flex without losing what matters most. If you’re navigating caregiving, chronic pain, household projects, or just a schedule that won’t behave, this conversation offers practical perspective, a few laughs, and permission to let something be imperfect while you care for someone you love.

If this resonates, follow Only Child Diaries on your favorite app, leave a rating and review to help others find us, and share this episode with a friend who’s juggling more than seems possible.

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Have you ever broken a promise to yourself for something that unexpectedly connected you to someone you've lost? That's exactly what happened when I subscribed to The New York Times after vowing never to accumulate publications again.

When we moved from our apartment a few years ago, we discovered mountains of magazines and newspaper clippings tucked away in closets and corners—evidence of my fundraising career, my husband's modeling hobby, and our shared love of reading. The sheer volume prompted a solemn vow: no more paper subscriptions. Yet here I am, with daily delivery of The New York Times in all its physical glory.

The newspaper has become more than just a source of information. With its quality reporting and surprisingly superior paper texture, it has unexpectedly transported me back to memories of my former boss Ruth, who always had The New York Times with her in the office. This month would have been her 76th birthday, four and a half years after her unexpected passing. As I turn each page, I feel connected to her unique, quirky personality that left such an impression on everyone she met. The newspaper has become a bridge between past and present, a tangible reminder of someone important.

Now I face a new challenge: the practice of "reading and letting go" rather than saving interesting articles. It's a small but meaningful exercise in impermanence that feels particularly poignant as I simultaneously help organize a memorial service for a friend's mother and set up Halloween decorations in the sweltering heat. Life continues its flow, and perhaps this newspaper subscription is teaching me to appreciate the moment without needing to preserve everything physically.

Join me next week as we tackle another topic together. If this resonated with you, please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast, leave a rating, and share with a friend who might enjoy these conversations about navigating adulthood with humor and light.

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Have you ever had a revelation when someone you've known for years suddenly reveals themselves to be completely different from who you thought they were? Maybe you suddenly started spending a LOT of time with them and finally got to really KNOW them?  That somewhat jarring disconnect between perception and reality forms the heart of this episode's exploration into the complicated layers of our closest relationships. And let's face it, sometimes we just give people the benefit of the doubt, right?  

Drawing from a recent experience with a friend who surprised me—not in a positive way—I reflect on what happens when we discover someone isn't as intelligent, insightful, or aligned with our values as we once believed. This revelation led me to consider the implications for marriages and long-term partnerships: What if you make a lifetime commitment only to discover fundamental incompatibilities later? How well can we truly know another person before taking that leap?

My husband and I knew each other for 17.5 years before marrying, which gave us an unusually thorough understanding of each other. Yet even then, surprises emerged. This raises important questions about relationship navigation: What are your "hard nos" in a partnership? At what point does disappointment in someone's character or capabilities change how you value the relationship? These aren't just philosophical musings but practical considerations for anyone building meaningful connections. There's no one on this earth that I feel I would align with 100% but I'd like to be close, at least for a spouse.  

Between updates on my upcoming interview with Leslie Berlin, tales of tax preparation woes, and excitement about our elaborate Halloween decorations (we're the first in the canyon to start setting up!), this episode marks four years of the Only Child Diaries podcast. Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration and growth. What unexpected discoveries have you made about people in your life? Share your thoughts and follow along as we continue unpacking the complexities of human relationships together.

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The choice to drive drunk can destroy lives in an instant. On September 7, 2017, my husband Bill and I were enjoying a vacation in Las Vegas when a drunk driver slammed into our rental car at approximately 80 miles per hour. The impact was so violent that I genuinely believed I wouldn't survive. Our world transformed in that moment—from carefree vacation to a 20-month nightmare of physical recovery, emotional trauma, and an exhausting fight for justice.

This is my annual re-release of my story about the crash and subsequent events, including the dramatic courtroom scene.  

What makes this story particularly devastating is what we discovered months later. The driver who hit us had a blood alcohol level of 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit. Even more shocking, just two months after our crash, she received another DUI—this time with her baby in the car and a blood alcohol level of 0.49%, just below what medical professionals consider potentially fatal. These weren't mistakes; they were catastrophic choices that endangered countless lives.

The aftermath tested us in ways we never imagined. Bill required a second neck fusion surgery when we discovered the crash had shifted a vertebra that was "literally hanging by a thread." Had it given way, he would have been paralyzed. Meanwhile, I developed PTSD symptoms while driving—panic attacks triggered by screeching brakes or tailgating vehicles. The legal system offered little comfort, requiring relentless advocacy just to be heard. When we finally reached the sentencing hearing after nearly two years, both Bill and I delivered emotional victim impact statements before the driver received a 12-48 month sentence.

Every year since that day, I've shared our story publicly because I believe it matters. With over 12,000 people dying from alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the US in 2023 alone, these aren't just statistics—they represent real lives forever altered or ended. If retelling our experience prevents even one person from making the deadly choice to drive impaired, then reliving this trauma is worth it. Remember our story the next time you're faced with the decision to drive after drinking. Every day truly is a gift, especially when you've come so close to losing everything.

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This week I'm celebrating three years of the Only Child Diaries podcast, reflecting on the journey and expressing gratitude to listeners across 58 countries worldwide. The podcast has grown into a global community where experiences of being an only child are shared with humor and insight.

• Upcoming interview with Leslie Berlin, a fellow only child with a different background including divorced parents, multiple cousins, and her own children
• Podcast demographics reveal listeners in 58 countries across 6 continents with the US, Mexico, Germany, and Hong Kong having the highest listener counts
• My recent appearance on the Canadian podcast "Lead From Within" with Michele Thomson discussing emotional intelligence
• Personal updates including an emergency vet visit for my diabetic cat Bubbie
• The emotional process of cleaning out a horse stall after 23 years
• A humorous mishap with watering a tangerine tree resulting in using 1,320 gallons of water in one day - OOPS!

Please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms, consider rating and writing a review, and share with friends who might enjoy it. Visit Instagram or Facebook pages at Only Child Diaries.

Michele Thomson podcast "Lead from Within" available wherever you get your podcasts!  I'm episode 120!  https://leadfromwithin.podbean.com/ 

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Yeah, you get to a certain age, and you think, okay, there are some things I can do well....or at least good enough.  Discovering you've been watering trees wrong your entire life is not something I expected to learn about myself after hiring an arborist to help me with our aging tangerine tree.   A beloved 50-year-old tangerine tree planted by my father back when I was a teenager. But I did learn something new and I'm hoping I can nurse it back to some level of better health.  

The journey began two years ago when water restrictions and scorching temperatures hit Southern California hard. Our tangerine tree, which had just produced a magnificent harvest of hundreds of fruits, started dropping yellowing leaves at an increasing rate. Caught between conflicting advice—one expert saying it needed more water, another claiming it needed less—I watched helplessly as this living family heirloom continued to struggle, its branches becoming increasingly bare.

What the arborist revealed was both simple and revolutionary: trees don't absorb water near their trunks. All those years of carefully directing water to the base of our trees had missed the mark entirely. The fine, absorptive roots exist farther out from the trunk, and proper watering requires reaching these distant zones. She showed me how the tree was literally folding in on itself to conserve resources, a silent cry for help I hadn't recognized. The experience transformed my understanding not just of our tangerine tree, but of our majestic redwood as well. Sometimes the most profound gardening lessons come when we least expect them, and usually after decades of doing something the wrong way. Want to hear more stories about navigating life's learning curves with humor and heart? Subscribe to Only Child Diaries wherever you get your podcasts, and join me in figuring out this adulting thing together.

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If you're a regular listener you already know I've talked a lot about grief.  It gets to be a bigger part of life as you go along.  

Saying goodbye isn't a single moment but a journey that unfolds in unexpected layers over time. After keeping my horse Dallas's stall for over a year following his sudden passing, I 'm finally facing the last tie with the barn - giving up his stall.  This wasn't just about emptying a locker filled with dusty memories, but about acknowledging that a 23-year chapter of my life had truly ended.

Throughout my life, I've navigated numerous losses with relative success—parents, friends, pets, colleagues. Yet the grief of losing Dallas hit differently. He wasn't just my horse; he represented a 25-year passion that structured my daily routine, introduced me to lasting friendships, and brought my husband and me together in shared joy. When Dallas died without warning, everything changed abruptly.

The night visit to the barn to begin clearing out his belongings brought mixed emotions—the comfort of touching another horse's soft nose, the ache of remembering our routine, the tears that came after whispering "Good night Dallas, I love you" one final time. That moment captured the essence of grief: sometimes it waits until we feel safe enough to let it surface. For anyone struggling with loss—whether fresh or lingering—the most important advice I can offer is simple yet powerful: be gentle with yourself. There's no timeline for healing, no perfect path through pain. Closure comes not when we force it, but when we're finally ready to accept it.

Join me each week as we explore the challenges of adulting with honesty, vulnerability and gentle humor. Whether you're an only child or simply someone navigating life's complexities, you'll find companionship, wisdom, and permission to be exactly where you are on your journey.

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Homeownership can feel like navigating uncharted waters without a compass. That sinking feeling when you hear an unfamiliar noise in your house? It happened to me recently, and what followed was both educational and let's face it, expensive.  

When I moved into my parents' home, I quickly discovered that years of deferred maintenance meant something broke literally every day. It became a running joke – what would give up the ghost today? Eventually, things settled down, and I thought I'd conquered the major issues. Then came the mysterious sound from the kitchen that only occurred when running hot water.

My investigation led me outside to the water heater, where I discovered not just a malfunctioning appliance but a dangerous situation – carbon monoxide was leaking, and the entire setup wasn't properly ventilated or up to code. The solution? A complete replacement with a tankless system that required additional electrical work. As I watched the numbers add up, I couldn't help but wonder: when did everything get so expensive?

This experience highlighted how unprepared many of us feel for the realities of maintaining a home. There's no comprehensive manual (though "Home Maintenance for Dummies" does exist!), and the learning curve is steep when you're making expensive decisions about systems you barely understand. While apartment living offers the simplicity of calling maintenance for repairs, homeownership demands you become the project manager for every problem.

The most valuable lesson I've learned? A house repair that you delay is like postponing car maintenance – it only gets worse with time. Despite the stress, expense, and constant worry about what might break next, I'm gradually building the knowledge I need to be a more confident homeowner. Join me as we navigate the ups and downs of adulting together – because sometimes the best way to learn is through sharing our stories.

Have you experienced a home maintenance emergency that caught you completely off guard? Share your story or follow the Only Child Diaries podcast to join our community of fellow adulting adventurers!

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Tracy celebrates three years of podcasting with the Only Child Diaries, now reaching listeners in 54 countries and 593 cities worldwide. She shares personal updates including her recovery from a recent fall, exciting news about her first podcast interview appearance, and her early preparations for Halloween decorations.

• Recovery update from last week's fall with painful but healing rib injuries
• Celebrating the podcast's third anniversary with growing global listenership
• First-ever interview appearance on "Lead From Within" with Michele Thompson podcast discussing emotional intelligence - here's a direct link https://leadfromwithin.podbean.com/e/120-fostering-emotional-intelligence-with-guest-tracy-wallace/?token=bf9ce2cd0fcc99ad3f1f215c93d48cb4
• Time for my Halloween decoration planning including DIY ghost projects and challenges finding materials - can't wait!
• Ongoing gardening struggles with heat-sensitive plants despite choosing supposedly sun-loving varieties - and....cactus vs succulents?  

• Unexpected car repairs due to rodent damage, ironically caused by the same ground squirrels....and I'm an animal lover! 

Please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms, rate the show, and consider writing a review to help others find us. Visit Instagram @OnlyChildDiaries or Facebook @OnlyChildDiariesPodcast.

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Ever wonder what happens when you try to support someone through a cremation ceremony and end up sprawled across cemetery steps instead? Life has a way of mixing profound moments with unexpected comedy.

Death remains one of our most challenging transitions – something many of us approach with hesitation, especially when supporting loved ones through the process. After losing my friend Neliya (who began as my friend's mother before becoming my friend too), I joined her daughter for a witness cremation ceremony nearly four weeks after her passing. The experience brought back memories of my own parents' cremations – the unexpected peace I found seeing my father looking restful, and the personal touches I added for my mother despite our complicated relationship: a letter, a camellia bloom, and her beloved See's candies.

What I didn't anticipate was taking a dramatic tumble outside a tiny cemetery bathroom, hitting my ribcage on concrete stairs while being rescued by mortuary staff. True to the phrase "no good deed goes unpunished," I continued supporting my friend despite the pain, only discovering at urgent care later that while my rib wasn't fractured, I had an unexpected lung condition requiring follow-up. Yet amid the physical discomfort came profound insight – watching my friend find peace after witnessing her mother's cremation confirmed something beautiful about honoring those we've lost. She found her own perfect way to say goodbye.

This episode explores how being present through someone's final journey – whether human or animal – represents one of our deepest expressions of respect and dignity. Join me for a conversation that balances raw honesty with gentle humor as we navigate life's most challenging transition together.

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Have you ever wondered what will happen to all your possessions when you're gone? After the recent loss of a friend, I found myself contemplating the mountain of stuff we accumulate throughout our lives and the burden it places on those left behind to sort through it all.

In this week's personal exploration, I introduce the concept of "Swedish Death Cleaning" – a practice with an unfortunate name but a compassionate purpose. While initially skeptical (and questioning the PR choices behind the name), I've come to appreciate the thoughtfulness behind gradually decluttering your possessions while you're still alive. Having experienced the challenges of sorting through my parents' belongings after their passing, I understand firsthand how overwhelming this process can be during a time of grief.

The conversation takes a particularly poignant turn as I reflect on my position as an only child without children. Who will handle my estate? Who will be burdened with deciding what happens to my collection of Snoopy Christmas ornaments, books, and other treasured possessions? This unique perspective highlights why mindful consumption matters – not just for our current living space, but for those who will eventually handle our affairs. 

Between my adventures with a new Roomba (which seems determined to create more chaos than cleanliness) and contemplating mortality, this episode offers both light moments and deeper reflections on life, legacy, and the stuff we leave behind.

Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on your favorite platform and join our community on Instagram and Facebook. Your reviews help others find us, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you're handling your own "stuff" dilemmas. How would you approach Swedish Death Cleaning? Who would you trust with your possessions? Let's continue this conversation together.

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What if the secret to happiness isn't complicated at all, but simply requires us to choose joy daily? After losing someone who was like a second mother to me, I've been reflecting deeply on how we navigate life's challenges while still maintaining our sense of purpose and happiness.

June has mysteriously become a month of pivotal moments in my life - when pets joined our family, jobs began and ended, and sadly, when loved ones passed away. This pattern of beginnings and endings prompted me to examine how we respond to both joy and grief. While supporting a friend through the uncomfortable process of making funeral arrangements at a decidedly creepy local mortuary, I couldn't help but consider how differently people approach hardship.

Some individuals face chronic illness, tremendous loss, or ongoing struggles yet maintain an inspiring positive outlook. Others seem determined to focus on what's wrong despite having their basic needs met. The contrast is striking and begs the question: what makes the difference? As a self-proclaimed "glass half-full kind of gal," I'm challenging you to evaluate your own life. If you're not enjoying most of your days, what changes might you need to make? Is it your job causing the most discomfort? Your relationships? Your living situation?

The reality that none of us knows how much time we have isn't just a platitude - it's a profound truth that should inform how we live. Every day truly is a gift, and recognizing this can transform how we experience even the most mundane moments. Join me as we explore finding joy amidst life's inevitable challenges, and discover why choosing happiness isn't selfish - it's necessary.

What brings you joy today? I'd love to hear your thoughts as we navigate adulting together with humor and light.

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Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is step back and breathe. After releasing episodes consistently for almost three full years, I found myself at a crossroads when Neliya – my late friend Gina's mother and someone who had become like a second mom to me – entered the hospital with sudden liver failure.

The physical and emotional toll of hospital visits, coupled with the ordinary responsibilities of life, created an extraordinary weight. Neliya's quick decline took about a week before passing peacefully surrounded by her daughter and close friends.  This loss reopened the wound of losing my friend Gina years earlier. Losing Neliya meant losing another connection to Gina's memory, another keeper of stories that only she could tell.

During this episode, I share glimpses of Nelia's remarkable life as a Miss Universe runner-up in the 1950s and actress in "The King and I," alongside her marriage to artist Mario Zamparelli.  For my fellow overachievers, I offer permission to occasionally set down our self-imposed obligations when life demands space for grief and processing. The podcast serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is simply pause.

Join me for this vulnerable conversation about loss, links to our past, and learning when to give ourselves grace. And stay tuned for news about my upcoming guest appearance on another podcast in early August – I can't wait to share that experience with you all. Have you ever struggled to give yourself permission to pause? I'd love to hear your stories of balancing achievement with self-care.

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Facing overwhelming challenges requires intentional self-care and perspective. This episode explores personal struggles with a broken washer, community concerns about ICE raids, and a family friend's health crisis, while offering reminders about maintaining healthy habits during difficult times.

• Broken washing machine leads to laundromat visits and unexpected complications with replacement
• Social and political concerns about ICE raids taking an emotional toll
• Close friend's mother hospitalized with liver problems, triggering grief responses
• Reminders about the importance of sleep, nutrition and hydration during overwhelming times
• Exciting news about first guest appearance on another podcast discussing leadership and emotional intelligence
• Host of that podcast is also an only child who may appear as future guest

If you like this episode, please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms you might listen on and consider rating Only Child Diaries and writing a review. It helps others to find us. Please share it with a friend you think might like it as well. Visit my Instagram page Only Child Diaries or Facebook Only Child Diaries Podcast.

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Amidst sensationalized headlines and political rhetoric claiming Los Angeles is "burning," I'm pulling back the curtain to reveal what's actually happening on the ground in my city. Having spent over two decades working in the heart of downtown LA, I offer perspective that goes beyond the dramatic footage you've seen on the news.

Let me take you on a journey through LA's complex geography—a sprawling county of 4,000 square miles and 88 distinct cities—to understand why what's happening matters, but also why it's not representative of daily life for most Angelenos. The protests and rallies you've seen on television are largely confined to approximately one square mile of downtown, centered around City Hall and municipal buildings. Compared to my experiences with the  widespread 1992 riots following the Rodney King verdict, there are stark differences between then and now.

Beyond the protests, I open up about something deeply troubling occurring in our communities: ICE raids that are creating fear among immigrant populations who form the backbone of our economy. I share the heartbreaking story of a U.S. citizen with diabetes who was detained without access to his insulin—a moment that broke me personally as the wife of someone who depends on insulin to live. These human stories reveal the real crisis unfolding away from the cameras.

Whether you're politically liberal or conservative, this episode offers insight into the complex realities of living in modern Los Angeles during turbulent times. Join me as we seek understanding, empathy, and perhaps a moment where "nothing bad happens." Subscribe to Only Child Diaries and follow me on Instagram or Facebook to continue our conversation about navigating life's challenges together.

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Taking care of yourself is vital to both physical and mental health, yet it's often neglected during busy periods. After working 50-hour weeks for a major fundraising event, I share my experience with post-event exhaustion and the importance of intentional recovery.

• The challenges of being an overachiever/perfectionist when planning events
• How intense work periods cause basic self-care and household tasks to be neglected
• The necessity of rest and recovery after high-energy projects
• Learning from my former boss who worked herself to death (really)
• Why we need to "adult ourselves" by setting boundaries around work
• The special importance of self-care for only children and single people
• The reality that no one reaches the end of life wishing they had worked more

If you like this episode, please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms you might listen on and consider rating Only Child Diaries and writing a review. Visit my Instagram page Only Child Diaries or Facebook Only Child Diaries Podcast.

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Coming off a lot of work, putting on a fundraising event, this week I'm reflecting on the importance of teamwork. I'm exploring how communication, relationship-building, and humor create stronger workplace connections and better outcomes despite the challenges faced by only children.

• Working on a major fundraising event t
• Recognizing that no single person, regardless of work ethic or perfectionism, can accomplish everything alone
• Building team rapport through intentional communication and relationship development
• Using humor to break down defenses and create comfortable collaboration environments
• Adapting communication styles for different personality types
• Understanding that only children may need to develop teamwork skills more deliberately
• Feeling part of a team leads to being a happier, more productive employee

Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms you might listen on and consider rating Only Child Diaries and writing a review. It helps others to find us. Please share it with a friend you think might like it as well. 

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Summer has officially arrived with Memorial Day weekend, bringing with it a mix of challenges and simple joys in Southern California's unpredictable weather patterns.

• Constantly postponing car washing due to intermittent rain cycles
• Questioning how people working outside the home manage to keep up with daily tasks
• Using delivery services for groceries and meals to save time
• Marveling at backyard wildlife including voracious hummingbirds, huge raccoons, and various critters
• Planning ambitious Halloween DIY projects
• Discovering the rabbit hole of DIY and home organization videos on YouTube
• Self-identifying as "organizationally disabled" when it comes to household management

Please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or your preferred platform, consider leaving a rating and review, and share with friends who might enjoy it. Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages at Only Child Diaries and Only Child Diaries Podcast.

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A simple compliment from a stranger about my "nice energy" sparked this heartfelt exploration of how kindness shapes our world. When someone acknowledged the very quality I'm always cultivating, it validated a philosophy I've built my adult life around: the transformative power of approaching others with compassion and positivity.

My journey toward kindness wasn't innate – it developed through life experiences. Working retail in my college years became an unexpected classroom for human connection. Facing difficult customers day after day, I discovered something profound: when I entered interactions expecting the worst, negativity inevitably followed. But when I consciously shifted my mindset to expect the best from each person, the entire dynamic transformed. Not every interaction became perfect, but the overall experience improved dramatically for everyone involved.

And then there was Princess Diana.  She became a powerful influence in my evolution. Watching her genuine compassion for others showed me what it meant to prioritize kindness in a way that changes lives. After her passing, I committed to carrying forward her example in my own interactions. This doesn't mean becoming a pushover – boundaries remain essential when facing truly inappropriate behavior. But choosing kindness as our default setting creates ripples we may never fully see. The world truly is what we make it, shaped by thousands of small interactions where we each decide what energy to bring. What kind of world are you helping to create today? Join the conversation on social media and share how you strive to positively impact others in your daily life. 

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Motherhood comes in many forms, and for some of us, our furry companions become the children we nurture and protect with fierce devotion. This Mother's Day weekend took an unexpected turn when my diabetic cat Bubbie began experiencing concerning episodes of vomiting that sparked an all-night adventure at the emergency veterinary clinic. Again. We're regular visitors there.  

For pet parents with special needs animals, these moments carry extra weight as symptoms could signal more complicated underlying situations. The diagnostic journey involved sedating my notoriously uncooperative cat (a diplomatic way of saying he transforms into a whirlwind of claws and fangs during vet visits), resulting in inconclusive findings but supportive treatment for his inflamed GI tract.

The comedic yet exhausting finale to our 4:30 AM homecoming involved donning protective gear—yes, actual jackets and gloves—to remove persistent vet wrap from Bubbie's back leg while he expressed his feline opinions on the matter. Though my middle-aged body no longer handles sunrise bedtimes with grace, seeing Bubbie recover brings the kind of relief only fellow pet parents will truly understand. Whether you're responsible for human children or furry companions, the emotional investment, sleepless nights, and unwavering dedication reflect a form of parenthood that deserves recognition. Share your own pet parenting war stories with me on Instagram  @OnlyChildDiaries—and maybe send some coffee my way while I recover from this adventure!

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Spoiler Alert!  Every now and then, our favorite forms of entertainment betray us in unexpected ways. After becoming emotionally invested in the TV show 9-1-1 during my recovery from knee surgery, my husband and I made it our weekly ritual. We loved the creative emergencies, the ensemble cast led by Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, and the camaraderie among the fictional firefighters of the 118. Then (spoiler alert!) came the episode that changed everything.

When the showrunners decided to kill off Captain Bobby Nash, I wasn't just surprised—I felt genuinely betrayed. While I understand their desire to honor the reality that first responders sometimes die in the line of duty, I couldn't help but question: isn't entertainment supposed to provide escapism? With real grief already weighing heavily in my life, particularly the loss of my beloved horse Dallas, I just said NO to watching the show rather than subject myself to an hour-long funeral episode. Sometimes protecting our emotional wellbeing means saying no to extra sadness.

This experience prompted deeper reflection on how we consume entertainment and where we draw emotional boundaries. I share the story of my friend who volunteered in animal rescue and refuses to watch any content featuring animals—a perspective I questioned at first. Whether you're navigating grief, managing your mental health, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the world, remember that it's okay to be selective about the emotional content you consume. Have you ever had to step away from a beloved show or book series because it hit too close to home? I'd love to hear your stories. Please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast and share with a friend who might appreciate this conversation about entertainment, boundaries, and the courage to protect your peace.

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In this episode, we're continuing on with some of the things I've learned about being married.  

People change. We evolve. I'm certainly not the same person who met my husband decades ago – I'm more confident for one.  I'm also more tired!  But yes, also carrying lessons from countless experiences that have shaped me. Marriage becomes an extraordinary adventure when we recognize this constant evolution and choose to grow together rather than apart.  But is it a choice?  

Looking back at proposals I declined in my youth (at 18 and again at 21), I'm grateful for understanding I needed independent experiences before committing to marriage. These decisions, though difficult, ultimately led me to a partnership that could flourish because we both had the emotional maturity to navigate life's complexities together.  It just took longer than I had hoped.  

What makes relationships last? I've discovered it's about compatibility across multiple dimensions – intellectual stimulation, emotional connection, and physical attraction working in harmony. Not surprisingly, I've noticed my husband shares certain characteristics with my father, highlighting how we're often drawn to the familiar. The difference lies in awareness and how we respond to these patterns.

Marriage involves compromises, certainly. But the reward is profound – not just connection with another person but a deeper understanding of yourself. Through challenges and triumphs shared, we discover aspects of ourselves that might otherwise remain hidden. This dance of growth, adaptation, and mutual support creates a partnership that's worth every effort it demands.

Want to continue exploring relationships together? Subscribe to Only Child Diaries, leave a review, and join me next week for more honest conversations about navigating life's most meaningful connections.

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Spring has arrived with its characteristic light green foliage, flourishing plants, and yes—even weeds. This season of renewal offers the perfect backdrop for reflecting on transitions in both personal and professional life.

After four years of working on my garden, I've finally feel like I've accomplished something.  Like I'm maintaining more than I'm redoing and creating now.  It's a good feeling.   Anyone who has undertaken a major project understands the profound satisfaction of shifting from constant development to simply maintaining what you've built. 

Meanwhile, my fundraising work continues with both challenges and unexpected victories. Working with a new organization means building sponsor relationships from scratch, yet we've already surpassed last year's results and secured a local TV news anchor as our event MC. This partnership is already showing results with our social media!  

Creating my first online silent auction has proven both challenging and rewarding, with over 60 prizes secured already. One prize that used to be easy to secure was a Las Vegas hotel.  Now things are different and Las Vegas is transforming from the days of complimentary rooms and affordable dining to today's landscape of parking fees and reduced staffing. 

Whether you're tending a garden, building professional relationships, or simply appreciating the changing seasons, I hope you'll join me in recognizing patterns of renewal in your own life. Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast, share with friends who might need these reflections, and let's navigate this season together.

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Have you ever had that coworker whose energy completely threw you off balance? The one who talks non-stop, interrupts conversations, or - and imagine this in a professional setting - sings? Until you're ready to scream? You're not alone.

In this deeply relatable episode, I dive into the complex world of workplace triggers and how to navigate them with grace. Drawing from a recent personal experience, I explore the delicate balance between maintaining your professional composure and addressing potentially disruptive behavior. Rather than simply reacting with frustration, I share how stepping back to understand the underlying causes changed my perspective and also calmed me down.

Beyond workplace triggers, I explore fascinating parallels between effective leadership and good parenting. Both roles require providing guidance, direction, and constructive feedback without micromanaging. The secret ingredient? Communication. The best leaders I've encountered throughout my career have all been exceptional communicators who created cultures of transparency where team members felt valued and included. This stands in stark contrast to the "wall of secrecy" too many organizations hide behind, leaving employees feeling disconnected from decisions that directly impact them.

Whether you're dealing with difficult workplace dynamics or aspiring to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights to help you navigate professional relationships with greater awareness and effectiveness. Listen now, and let me know if you've faced similar situations in your workplace journey. How did you handle them? I'd love to hear your stories and continue this important conversation.

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Have you ever felt that true friendships become more precious as you age? That's exactly what we explore in this heartfelt episode of Only Child Diaries. Friendships aren't passive connections—they're active relationships requiring cultivation, maintenance, and mutual investment. Unlike family relationships that come with built-in connections, friendships must be deliberately chosen and preserved through changing life circumstances.

As someone who grew up without siblings, I've always placed immense value on my friendships. These relationships taught me crucial interpersonal skills and provided connections that enriched my life in countless ways. In this episode, I share personal insights about how I worked especially hard to develop and maintain friendships as an only child, sometimes feeling awkward but ultimately learning valuable lessons about human connection that continue to serve me well today.

We also dive into the unique dynamic of neighbor relationships—those special connections with people who share our physical space but often maintain different boundaries than traditional friends. From childhood memories of mysterious neighbor tensions to apartment living experiences that shaped my perspective on noise tolerance, we explore how proximity creates its own relationship category that significantly impacts our daily well-being. I reflect on how different people establish varying boundaries with neighbors and how these relationships contribute to our overall sense of community and belonging.

The most valuable friendships often turn out to be those that stand the test of time—the people who carry our shared history and understand references without explanation. As I've gotten older, I've come to treasure these long-term connections even more, recognizing how rare and precious it is to have someone who has witnessed different versions of yourself throughout the years. Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast and join our community as we navigate adulting together with humor and insight!

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The uncomfortable and often frustrating truth about healthcare is that being heard by your doctor isn't guaranteed—it's something you must sometimes fight for. Through relatable personal stories about navigating my husband's chronic conditions, I explore why questioning medical authority isn't just acceptable, but necessary for proper care.  The bottom line is I care deeply for my husband, and I'll fight for what he needs.  That doesn't mean it's always easy.  

After accompanying my husband to nearly 100 doctor visits over the years, I've witnessed firsthand how communication breakdowns between patients and physicians can lead to frustrating, and sometimes dangerous, healthcare gaps. Our recent encounter with a dismissive pain management doctor who repeatedly talked over us highlights a critical problem in medicine today: the difference between hearing and listening.

Most striking was the generational divide revealed when my aging parents confessed their complete, unquestioning trust in doctors—a concept that made my head "nearly explode." Today's healthcare landscape requires patients to advocate fiercely for themselves while balancing respect for medical expertise with healthy skepticism. Whether you're managing a chronic condition or simply attending routine check-ups, the skills of self-advocacy, preparation, and persistence have become essential tools for receiving proper care. Remember: the doctor is a person, not a god, and the "squeaky wheel" approach sometimes becomes necessary when your health is at stake. What experiences have shaped your approach to doctor-patient relationships?

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A gabapentin recommendation at the emergency vet triggers my inner monologue: "Yeah, this isn't my first rodeo." After a week that included a pre-dawn drive to work, a $1,200 emergency vet visit for my beloved diabetic cat Bubbie, and a marital squabble over proper cat-medicating techniques, I'm   sharing the rollercoaster of a birthday week with equal parts frustration and humor.

The chaotic week began immediately following the one-year anniversary of our horse's passing, discussed in a previous episode. Despite the universe seemingly throwing obstacle after obstacle my way, I still found moments of joy in unexpected places – feeding neighborhood wildlife before sunrise, celebrating the first sweet pea bloom in the garden, and enjoying the thrilling Grizzly Bear Rapids ride at Knott's Berry Farm with my husband and grieving brother-in-law.

Between bloody cat scratches and veterinary discharge instructions explaining concepts long mastered, I'm reflecting on one of life's most common annoyances: receiving advice for problems you've already tackled from every possible angle. Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast to join me each week as I navigate the complexities of adulthood with wisdom, vulnerability and a dose of laughter.

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Grief finds its own way sometimes. As I find myself at the one year anniversary of losing my beloved horse Dallas, the day culminated with several other losses and calamities that left me feeling DONE for the day. This episode takes you through the reality of what happens when the universe decides to "pile it all on" during an already difficult day.  I should have just stayed home! 

What began as a simple commemoration quickly snowballed into a week of collective sadness—friends losing jobs, a brother-in-law putting his dog down on his birthday, and even a chance encounter with a grieving widow that left us both in tears. Sometimes the kindest gestures (like unexpected flowers from a new friend) can unleash the emotions we're trying so hard to contain.

When even my attempt at comfort-movie escapism was thwarted by a power outage, I found myself where I often do during life's hardest moments: in my garden. Despite the weeds thriving after recent rains, this "last bastion of hope" provided the healing space I needed. I share the small victory of finally adding a fountain to my backyard sanctuary—proof that even on our darkest days, we can create pockets of beauty and peace.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from this vulnerable episode is permission to honor your melancholy days. As I discover again and again, sometimes you need to respect your grief before you can move beyond it. While I promise to return with more uplifting content next week, I hope this raw conversation reminds you that it's perfectly okay not to be your "usual joyful self" when navigating life's difficult anniversaries and unexpected emotional storms.

Follow the Only Child Diaries podcast and join me next week as we continue exploring the art of adulting with humor and light—even when we need to acknowledge the shadows first.

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Grief has a way of marking our calendars doesn't it? What was once just March—my birthday month—has become a landscape of painful anniversaries that I'm still learning to navigate with grace.

This deeply personal episode explores the losses that have transformed my usually happy birthday month. From the sudden passing of my barn friend Manny in 2019, through the difficult COVID period that took both my mother and my boss Ruth within months of each other, to the devastating loss of my beloved horse Dallas last March after 23 years together. Each loss carries its own weight, its own lessons, and its own timeline for healing.

Some losses eventually transform into fond memories that bring smiles rather than tears, while others remain raw no matter how much time passes. As I approach the first anniversary of losing Dallas on March 17th, I share the reality of grief that comes in waves—how sometimes I've coped by not thinking about him at all, how his photo remains my phone's lock screen, and how a memorial wind chime occasionally offers moments of connection when the breeze catches it just right.

Through tears and vulnerable reflections, this episode speaks to anyone who has marked their calendar with both celebrations and sorrows. Though I make no promises about next week's topic being happier, I invite you to join me as we remember together that every day—whether joyful or painful—remains a gift worth unwrapping.

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Unpredictable moments can redefine our outlook on life in profound ways. This episode of the Only Child Diaries features two riveting narratives, both laced with lessons on resilience and the importance of community. I reflect on a recent visit to a nursery devastated by fire, confronting the stark realities of loss and the slow journey toward recovery. You’ll hear how witnessing the aftermath in person created a wave of empathy within me. 

Switching gears, I recount a chaotic memory from an Oscar night when the mundane duties of my retail job turned surreal as robbers attempted a daring heist in the jewelry department. The adrenaline, the sense of vulnerability, and the quick decisions we make in the face of fear compel the listener to consider their own experiences with chaos and courage. Life may not always go to plan, but resilience shines through unpredictability. 

Join me for these enlightening stories that weave humor, introspection, and vital lessons on how we can better navigate life's ups and downs together. Let's share our stories of strength and support; come along for the ride, and don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends who need a reminder of community resilience!

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Ever feel like you missed the how-to guide on adulting? Join me as I unravel the complexities and surprises that come with marriage, particularly from the perspective of an only child. This episode dives deep into my 17-year journey leading to my marriage with Bill, where we explored the meaning of commitment beyond traditional timelines. I'm also talking about the unexpected benefit of marriage, at least to me - emotional security - and how it transformed my relationship with Bill after finally tying the knot.

Throughout our journey, I highlight the lesser-discussed aspects of married life, including navigating challenges like health issues and household chores. I share humorous anecdotes that not only entertain but reflect the reality many couples face together. The peace and support we gain from each other through life's ups and downs speak volumes about what partnership truly means.

This conversation invites everyone—whether you're married, navigating singlehood, or contemplating commitment—to reflect on the nature of love and how timing influences relationships. My discussion emphasizes that each journey is unique, and understanding this can bring deeper insights into the dynamics of love and companionship. Join me, and let's explore these intricacies together! Don't forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and consider leaving a review to help others find us.

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 While winter lingers, I'm on a mission to infuse a little spring cheer by revitalizing my garden's aging hedge with new plants. From my weekend adventures at the local nursery to the delightful (and sometimes prickly) surprises hidden within my hedge, this episode is packed with garden insights, and a bit of gardening tips – even if some YouTube advice doesn't quite fit our unique climate.

Tune in to hear tales of overcoming stubborn oak growth, the art of maneuvering a giant plant pot with a little help from kind strangers, and the unexpected challenges of navigating outdated hedge plants. Whether you're an only child or simply someone who appreciates life's quirky moments, this episode promises to brighten your day with relatable insights on adulting and a humorous take on life's little trials. So grab your gardening gloves and a cup of tea, and join me for a delightful romp through the trials and triumphs of garden life.

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The Super Bowl is more than just a game, it's a cultural phenomenon that unites us all, right?  So who cares if I actually watch the GAME?  This week I'm exploring the  allure of the Super Bowl, even for those of us who aren't die-hard football fans. Through the lens of my own experiences, particularly, I reflect on the ritual of gathering with friends and family, the excitement of the pre-kickoff show, and the shared moments that transcend the sport itself. From the dramatic tributes to the entertaining halftime show, this episode captures the spirit of what makes the Super Bowl a beloved event for so many.  And hey, it's a great time to go shopping!  LOL.  

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Recently I questioned if my self-analysis was correct.  Was my insight meter in good shape?  I've always thought my instincts, my insights were good.  But a recent experience made me question that, and if I did all I could.  This week I'm discussing that very topic, and also not having regrets.  No matter what you do, it's important to do what you need to do so that you don't have lingering regrets down the line. 

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This episode reflects on the fragility of life in the face of unexpected disasters, specifically a recent house fire in the neighborhood, unveiling insights about community resilience and personal loss.  How grateful are we all for first responders who risk their lives to protect others?
• Personal account of witnessing a fire truck response 
• Discussion about the immediate community impact after a fire 
• Encounter with a man who lost his home but maintained a positive outlook 
• Reflections on climate change and fire risks in California 
• Importance of recognizing the dangers of smoke 
• Expression of gratitude towards first responders and their dedication

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This episode reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. while addressing the personal and societal challenges of racism and environmental crises like wildfires. Through personal anecdotes and community reflections, it emphasizes the importance of ongoing conversations around equity and safety.

• Honoring Martin Luther King Day as a time for reflection
• Personal stories of growing up in a community with a racist history
• Understanding the impact of racial inequality and the need for education
• Concerns over the regression of DEI initiatives in society
• Navigating family dynamics in a politically divided environment
• Update on the wildfires in Los Angeles and their personal impact
• Managing poor air quality and environmental challenges
• Practical steps taken to improve home air quality
• The intersection of personal histories and broader societal issues
• Encouragement for community engagement and active discussions

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Ever found yourself trapped in an electric recliner during a power outage while your Christmas decorations take flight in a windstorm? This week I'm sharing tales about a week of unexpected chaos and resilience in Los Angeles, marked by the anniversary of my mother's passing. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life, I recount how a simple morning spiraled into an adventure involving a power outage, mischievous winds, and the Los Angeles fires escalating to a mandatory evacuation order. Amidst these unforeseen events, I find humor and strength, drawing on past experiences with fire threats and the challenges of living surrounded by canyons.

The community's response to recent emergencies has been nothing short of inspiring, despite the chaos spurred by mistaken evacuation orders and shortages of crucial supplies like flashlights and bottled water. This episode shines a light on how adversity has deepened my appreciation for home and reshaped my relationship with my late mother. Celebrating the indomitable spirit of Los Angeles, I highlight the tireless work of firefighters, volunteers, and the outpouring of support for local organizations such as the Pasadena Humane Society. Together, we explore how life's unpredictability can foster gratitude and a renewed sense of community amid the storm.

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Reflecting on the new year, this week I'm exploring the tensions between personal aspirations and familial responsibilities. The conversation delves into themes of identity, sacrifices, and strategies for prioritizing self-care while embracing the new year’s possibilities.

• Personal productivity during the holiday season
• Cultural expectations tied to the new year
• Insights from the film "Night Bitch" on women's sacrifices
• Evaluating life goals to avoid future regrets
• The struggle for health and fitness in a busy lifestyle
• Importance of balancing family needs with personal dreams
• A hopeful outlook for a fulfilling and healthy new year

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This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the transitions we face as the year turns, addressing themes of letting go, setting achievable goals, and embracing the new year with positivity. I try to focus on small wins and personal engagement while looking ahead to 2025.

Some discussion points in this episode:
• Reflecting on the year past and setting intentions for the new year
• Insights from the podcast's analytics and listener engagement
• The joy of holiday decorations and community involvement
• The challenge of managing physical clutter and mail
• Strategies for setting realistic short-term goals
• Anticipation for local events and embracing new experiences

If you like this episode, please follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or other platforms you might listen on and consider rating Only Child Diaries and writing a review. It helps others to find us. Please share it with a friend you think might like it as well. Visit my Instagram page, Only Child Diaries or Facebook Only Child Diaries Podcast, links are below. 

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Have you ever found yourself caught up in the whirlwind of holiday preparations, only to realize that spreading joy is the true gift? On this joyful episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I'm sharing my personal adventure of transforming my front yard into a festive wonderland, culminating in winning the "Best Theme" category in my city's holiday decorating contest. With an array of delightful animal-themed decorations—from reindeer to Snoopy—the journey, though quirky with its delays, is a heartwarming reminder of the power of creativity and community spirit during the festive season.

Amidst the twinkling lights and festive inflatables, discover how a simple act of decorating can create magical moments and foster community connections. the real victory was the smiles and joy my decorations sparked among neighbors and passersby. Whether it was a child’s wide-eyed wonder or a neighbor’s appreciative nod, these little moments of shared happiness are what truly make the holidays special. Join me as we unwrap the joy of holiday cheer and perhaps find inspiration to sprinkle a bit of magic in your own corner of the world.

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As this week's episode goes live, I'm still waiting to hear if our festive front yard Christmas decorations were judged a winner or not!  Oh the waiting is the hardest part!  Tom Petty was a genius!  Here about the night the community judges visited and woke up my neighbors!   

There's also a personal celebration on the horizon—our upcoming wedding anniversary. While we reflect on these joyous milestones, we explore the art of balancing life's unpredictable moments with humor and grace. Whether it's the anticipation of the judges' visit or the heartwarming community votes, this episode offers a cozy blend of festive fun and heartfelt reflection that's sure to sprinkle some holiday spirit into your day. So, grab your favorite warm beverage and join me for an episode brimming with laughter, love, and a touch of holiday magic.

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Yes!  It's ANOTHER update on my root canal journey!  I thought the follow-up visit was supposed to be easier? But no, I found myself enduring a string of Novocaine shots and shaky-handed procedures—and silly me, I thought I could get through without taking Xanax. If you've ever had your expectations challenged in the dentist's chair, this story might just resonate with you. But that's not all; my overachiever spirit shines through in my quest to win our city's holiday decoration contest. I love decorating, but gosh, it has been labor AND love!  Sometimes I feel like more on the LABOR side! 

And while the lights twinkle outside, the holidays bring a different kind of reflection within. Inspired by Anderson Cooper's poignant interviews, I explore the emotional labyrinth of grief during this festive time. From honoring my late father's December birthday to grappling with the loss of my cherished horse, Dallas, the season is a mix of celebration and remembrance. The new year is approaching and sometimes it's a struggle to embrace the holiday spirit.  Tune in next week as we continue to uncover life's personal stories and reflections. And thanks for listening! 

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Ever found yourself caught in the whirlwind of holiday expectations, only to realize you've done more napping than prepping? In this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I'm laughing about holiday burnout and the pitfalls of overambitious holiday plans. Picture this: a Thanksgiving spent blissfully snoozing until noon, followed by the inevitable 3 a.m. insomnia. Despite the quiet celebration with just my husband, the pressure to be productive was alive and well, leading to a grand achievement of...cleaning a single hummingbird feeder! You'll relate to the humor and irony of planning big while winding up with small victories.

Let's not forget the festive flair of holiday decorating—a task that promises both joy and a few neighborly laughs. This year, our town's holiday decorating contest prompted me to add ten poinsettia plants to my outdoor display, earning me compliments from the neighbors. So, if you've ever felt the tug-of-war between grand holiday ambitions and the cozy pull of laziness, tune in for a lighthearted take on embracing creativity and chaos during the festive season.

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Thanksgiving with my family has always been a comedy of errors, with dry turkey and awkward conversations taking center stage. Remember those flavorless, obligatory meals at Grandma's? They're forever etched in my memory, alongside my mother's bizarre kitchen concoctions. This week I'm reminiscing about the tasteless chaos of past Thanksgivings and how I eventually discovered a savior in seasoning. It's a nostalgic journey filled with humor.  You can live through anything if you can laugh about it, right? 

As I finally braved my first Thanksgiving dinner in my own apartment, chaos greeted me like an old friend. Between an unexpected night at my boss's house thanks to a work emergency and the raw turkey battle in my new kitchen, holiday preparations were nothing short of a sitcom episode. Despite these challenges, I find moments of gratitude sprinkled throughout the madness, from my loving husband and furry companions to the freedom of pursuing my passions. Join me in reflecting on these blessings and the hilarity of holiday mishaps on this special episode of Only Child Diaries.

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Can physical fitness overcome the rigors of age?  Can we back Father Time into a corner?  What happens when a gentle soul like me stumbles into the raucous world of boxing? This week I'm sharing my unexpected fascination with the recent Mike Tyson-Jake Paul showdown and a night of electrifying matches streamed on Netflix. Despite never having been a boxing enthusiast, I found myself cheering for the seasoned Tyson. 

With humor and curiosity, I recount the entire evening's experience, from the impressive shape of a 58-year-old Tyson to the streaming hiccups that came with 65 million eager viewers. It's not just about the punches thrown or the titles won; it's a story of promotion, excitement, and the unexpected allure of the boxing ring. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer like me, get ready for an engaging and lighthearted perspective on a night that had the world tuned in and talking.

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Every lesson I ever needed I learned in the dentist's chair?  OK, maybe not really, but sort of in a way.  I've done more than one episode now about dental anxiety, but here's the update now on my root canal.  I could've lived my whole life and never had one of these and been alright with that!  I was lucky to have a lot of emotional support for my procedure....but then the aftermath....the pain!  Things didn't go as smoothly as I would have hoped.  This is NOT good for my dental anxiety.

What have I learned from all this?  What's the take away?  Well, my dental anxiety caused me to stop going to the dentist and that hasn't served me well, in the end.  If I had kept up with the dentist, well, maybe, just maybe this all wouldn't have happened to me.  The lessons we learn along the way help get us through. 

I hope you'll join me for this week's episode.  

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How do you feel about....rain?  Rain once conjured memories of cozy childhood days indoors, but when my life embraced the equestrian lifestyle, it turned into a muddy nemesis. Ever tried keeping a horse dry and your husband mud-free during a downpour? Spoiler: it’s messy. This week as we had our first light rain, I'm sharing my sharing these slippery challenges, sharing tales of mud baths and the absurdity of finding suitable rain gear. Life's unpredictable elements may drench us, but they also bring laughter and stories worth sharing.

Switching gears, I reflect on Anderson Cooper's "All There Is" podcast, specifically the profound stories of grief and resilience. Inspired by a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor's tale, I discuss how listening to these experiences offers lessons in finding strength amidst loss. Anderson Cooper's empathetic approach, drawn from his own personal grief, adds depth and connection to these narratives. I hope you'll join me this week. 

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Have you ever stumbled upon an old passion in the most unexpected way? That's exactly what happened to me when a simple Facebook post reignited my love for improv. This week on the Only Child Diaries podcast, I recount my return to an improv group, a decade after my first try. This group had initially been part of a church in Los Angeles, but not in the way you might think—there were no biblical reenactments, just a bunch of improv enthusiasts honing their skills. I share how this rediscovery helped fill the void left by Dallas, my beloved horse, by giving me something new to look forward to and a chance to reconnect with an old friend.  

Whether you’re an only child or not, I hope my stories amuse and inspire you with my insights into self-discovery. I'll also share my addiction to Halloween decorations.  This year I've had great fun decorating the front yard!  Happy Halloween everyone!  

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In this episode, I'm revisiting my previous dental anxiety.  I had faced it squarely about 3-4 years ago, and thought with regular visits I had overcome most of it.  But after a recent lapse in visits to the dentist, I realized I was right back where I started.  Square one.  And it didn't turn out good.  The thing that always got me through was the report that I didn't have cavities.  But those darn x-rays.  They told another story this time.  And the dreaded root canal came into the conversation.  And that was when my day blew up in a bad way. 

This is one of those points where you realize you need to be an adult.  You need to take care of yourself in maybe a way you don't really want to take care of yourself.  It's like car maintenance - alleviating worse things.  None of it is any fun.  

Meet the heroes in my story: a new hygienist with stories as comforting as a warm blanket and a dentist who delivers tough news with a gentleness that eased my nerves - as much as is humanly possible. Tune into this episode of the Only Child Diaries Podcast for a candid, heartfelt narrative that not only addresses the universal struggle of dental anxiety but also celebrates the power of compassion and connection. And don't forget—sharing is caring! Help spread these stories to others who might benefit from them by rating, reviewing, and following us on Apple Podcasts and social media.

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What if the thrill of watching horror movies has less to do with fear and more to do with a hidden psychological craving we all share? This week on the Only Child Diaries podcast I'm talking about the timely subject of scary films just in time for Halloween. From the chilling dreamscapes in "Nightmare on Elm Street" to the spine-tingling mysteries of "Poltergeist," which are two of my favorite films, I'll talk a little bit about why these stories of suspense keep drawing us in. Reflecting on my own experiences (and occasional jump scares), I share why some horror classics like "Halloween" have stood the test of time, and discuss how the genre's simplicity often contributes to its cult status.

Beyond the screams and gasps, there’s an intellectual curiosity that horror films satisfy—a mixture of adrenaline, accomplishment, and a sense of shared experience that brings us closer together. Whether you're a seasoned horror buff or a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat, this episode will entertain you without scaring you!  So, grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready to discover the psychology behind why we love a good scare.  Is it too early to say Happy Halloween? 

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Today's episode is about teamwork—a topic that might not seem like a natural fit for us only children. I kick things off with a hilarious tale involving a younger colleague and a day at the amusement park, proving that it's always best to keep your sense of humor about you as you get older.

The heart of this episode is a discussion about teamwork, The good and the bad of it. But seriously, working within a good team is a positive experience, and I've come to appreciate good teamwork. Even if you're not an only child, there’s a lesson in sharing accomplishments and finding fulfillment together. Whether you're tackling a short-term project or a long-term mission, let's celebrate the power of working collectively to achieve great things.

And to close the episode out, I'll give you an update on my Halloween decorations.  It's a LABOR of love for sure!  

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Ever found yourself on a familiar path, only to be led astray by technology? Join me, Tracy Wallace, on the Only Child Diaries as I recount a nerve-wracking journey through my hometown that ended up being anything but routine. Despite knowing multiple ways home, I placed blind trust in my GPS, leading me down steep and narrow roads with no guardrails in sight. Feel the tension as I confront impatient drivers and the creeping anxiety of the unknown. This episode captures the essence of unexpected local adventures and the complexities of relying on technology in familiar surroundings.

But that's not all! Stay connected with the Only Child Diaries community and never miss out on another engaging topic. Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts or your preferred platform, and your reviews can help others find our show too. Keep up with the latest by visiting our Instagram page, Only Child Diaries, or our Facebook page, Only Child Diaries Podcast. Thank you for tuning in, and I can't wait to share more stories and insights with you next week. I'm Tracy Wallace, and these are the Only Child Diaries.

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Have you ever experienced the profound impact of losing a cherished family pet? This week on Only Child Diaries, I'm giving an update on how I'm doing six months after losing Dallas, our horse.  He was part of our family for nearly 23 years. His absence has permeated every corner of our daily lives, altering routines, emotions, and even our interactions. Listen in as I recount how small rituals, like conversing with his memorial wind chime and finding solace in nature, have helped us cope with this immense loss, despite the occasional skunk encounter.

As we close this heartfelt episode, I’m excited to invite you to join us next week for a lighter and more joyful topic. Don’t forget to follow Only Child Diaries on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a rating or review to help others discover our journey. Share the love by telling your friends about the podcast, and stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. Thank you for being a part of our resilient community.

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What happens when your vision starts to blur, and you're confronted with the daunting reality of cataracts? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my personal and often humorous journey through this eye-opening experience on this heartfelt episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. From the uneasy anticipation of eye exams to the overwhelming diagnosis, I lay bare my initial fears and the panic that ensued. With the candid, no-nonsense advice from my eye doctor and the resilience that comes from being an only child, I navigate the challenges of deteriorating vision and the necessity of surgery, all while trying to maintain my daily life.

In the latter part of the episode, I stress the importance of our Only Child Diaries community, encouraging everyone to spread the word and stay connected through our Instagram and Facebook pages. Your participation and support mean the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for each listener. Together, we can continue to explore life's significant issues with humor and light-heartedness. Remember to tune in next week for another engaging topic as we journey through the ups and downs of life, side by side.

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What happens when a great vacation turns into a harrowing nightmare? Join me this week as I share our personal story of surviving a traumatic car accident in Las Vegas. My husband Bill and I were rear-ended by a drunk driver, just six months after Bill's neck fusion surgery. The chaos and fear were overwhelming, but the swift response of emergency services and the unwavering support of our friends Betty and Rick were a beacon of hope in our darkest hour. This episode captures the raw emotions of that day and the immediate aftermath, making us profoundly grateful for the fragility of life and the support we received.

As the days unfolded, the challenges multiplied. From the emotional stress of retrieving our belongings from a Hertz holding yard to the logistical nightmare of dealing with insurance claims and police reports, every step was a testament to our resilience. Bill's need for another neck surgery added to the mounting stress, leading us both to seek therapy. Supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), we navigated the complexities of the legal system, inching our way towards justice. This episode sheds light on the relentless pursuit of answers and the emotional toll it took on us.

The journey to the courtroom was emotionally charged, culminating in a sentencing hearing that provided a sense of closure. Facing the driver who changed our lives forever was both daunting and necessary. The judge's sentence of 12 to 48 months was a pivotal moment that underscored the importance of accountability. As I reflect on the ordeal and embrace the gift of each new day, I invite you to listen to our story having just marked the 7th anniversary of the crash. Understand the profound impact such events can have, and why every single day is a precious gift. Don't forget to follow and rate the Only Child Diaries podcast on your favorite platforms. Thank you for your continued support.

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Ever wondered how a tranquil nudist colony could become the center of a true crime mystery? Picture this: an elderly couple, known for their strict routines and endearing chihuahua named Cuddles, disappears without a trace amidst the quiet chaparral landscape of Southern California. Their sudden absence sends shockwaves through their tight-knit community, and days later a major SWAT intervention turns their peaceful mobile home enclave into a gripping spectacle of suspense. Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I walk you through this captivating real-life event, one that had me glued to every news update and reconsidering the dangers lurking even in the most unexpected places.

Recounting the eerie details of the Menards' disappearance, you’ll hear about the puzzling clues left behind: an abandoned car with keys inside, a cane crucial for the wife's mobility, and their chillingly empty home. Feel the tension build as the SWAT team closes in, using drones and battering rams, all captured by news helicopters hovering overhead. This episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast is not just a fascinating exploration of true crime but also a heartfelt narrative about community, routine, and the unsettling mysteries that can turn our worlds upside down. Don’t miss out on this blend of intrigue and emotion as we unravel a story that’s stranger than fiction.

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Ever wondered how a heavy metal icon transitions into a classical music composer? Join me as I share an intriguing conversation about Kip Winger, the frontman of Winger, who has remarkably shifted from the world of metal to composing classical masterpieces. Kip has opened up about his artistic evolution, the personal tragedies that fueled his transformation, and the intricate beauty of his music. I'll also recount the unforgettable acoustic performance I attended, showcasing Kip's extraordinary vocal prowess and the emotional depth of his compositions.

We also pay tribute to the late Jack Russell, lead singer of the band Great White, who recently passed away after battling Lewy body dementia. Reflect on his life, the tragic fire incident that marked his band's history, and my eagerness to delve into his newly released autobiography for more insights into his journey. To wrap things up, I encourage you to subscribe to the Only Child Diaries podcast on your favorite platform and join us on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Thanks for listening!

Kip Winger Interview by Rick Beato
The Rebirth of Kip Winger 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJmNwT214bc

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Can you remember the magic of a fresh, new notebook and the excitement of wearing your new school outfit on the first day? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I walk you through my back-to-school memories on this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. From picking out three-ring binders over the ever-popular Pee-Chee folders to the nervous anticipation of meeting new teachers and classmates, let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. I also reflect on the bustling mornings in my neighborhood, where the growing elementary school has transformed drop-offs and pick-ups into a hive of activity.

Together, we'll explore the bittersweet end of summer vacations and the mixed feelings of starting a new school year. Whether you're reminiscing about your own school days or gearing up to send your kids back to the classroom, this episode is a heartfelt look at the timeless rituals and emotions that come with the start of a new academic journey. Let's also discuss what it's like to navigate relationships and routines, from the valuable life lessons learned in school to the challenges of regimented schedules. Don't miss out on this sentimental and relatable episode!

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What goes through your mind when the ground suddenly starts to shake beneath you? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I navigate the unnerving yet fascinating world of earthquakes in this special episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. Originally planned to discuss the back-to-school jitters, I pivot to recount my personal experiences with seismic activity, especially growing up in earthquake-prone Los Angeles. From the infamous Northridge quake in the '90s that turned my parents' anniversary into a memorable jolt, to the recent tremor near Bakersfield, I share the eerie moments when the ground rumbles and chaos ensues.

Tune in as I walk you through the terror of things falling around me during the Northridge quake and the eerie silence when the lights went out. I'll also highlight the invaluable insights of Dr. Lucy Jones from Caltech, whose expertise has been a guiding light for many Angelenos over the years. This episode is a mix of personal stories, a splash of humor, and scientific tidbits that make living in earthquake country a unique experience. Whether you're a seasoned quake veteran or just curious about life on the fault lines, this episode will shake up your perspective on these natural phenomena.

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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to witness the grandeur of the Olympics from a personal perspective? Join me, Tracy Wallace, on the Only Child Diaries podcast as I take you through my unforgettable experiences at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, including an up-close encounter with Prince Philip. Despite not being a die-hard sports fan, I find myself captivated by the breathtaking range of events and the moving stories behind the athletes. Together, we’ll explore the overwhelming challenge of keeping up with every event, the mesmerizing opening ceremonies, and the unifying magic of countries coming together to celebrate the best of human endeavor.

Meet the athletes whose incredible dedication and resilience leave us in awe. From the tireless training of gymnast Frederick Richard to Suni Lee's triumph over kidney problems, and Noah Lyles' journey with asthma, this episode sheds light on the sacrifices and deep emotional connections these athletes share with their families. I'll share my own junior high gymnastics memories and express my admiration for the extraordinary talents like Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles. Tune in as we celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, the beauty of Paris as the host city, and the joy of seeing athletes from all over the world achieve their dreams.

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Have you ever given advice only to see it go unheard? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I tackle the delicate art of offering support without crossing boundaries on this week's episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast. We'll explore how to strike that perfect balance of being helpful while respecting others’ personal journeys. Tune in to hear about my own experiences with unsolicited advice, the frustration that follows when it's ignored, and the importance of understanding that everyone has their own timing for learning life's lessons.

As we close out the episode, I'll share a glimpse into my personal life and the mundane tasks that await me—yes, even podcasters have to do dishes and sort through mail! I promise to bring you another engaging topic next week. Don't forget to follow the Only Child Diaries podcast on Apple Podcasts or your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with your friends. Stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Thanks for tuning in, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon!

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Ever wondered how your vote can shape the future of your country? This episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast is perfect for you! Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my personal journey of civic duty, starting from the excitement of casting my first vote at the age of 18. We'll walk through the historical struggles that granted women the right to vote and discuss why it's crucial to exercise this privilege. You'll also get a glimpse into my family’s contrasting political views and how they influenced my understanding of civic engagement.

Get ready for a candid conversation on the current political climate, the incessant flood of political messages during election seasons, and the recent high-stakes events involving figures like Donald Trump and Joe Biden. I'll share my take on making small donations to causes I support and how these little contributions fit into the bigger picture of political activism. Whether you’re a seasoned voter or just starting out, this episode promises to blend humor, history, and heartfelt reflections on the power of your vote. Tune in and let's explore how each ballot cast can be a step towards a better future.

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Can you believe it? We've hit our 100th episode milestone on Only Child Diaries! Join me in this heartfelt celebration as I look back on the journey that has brought us here. From the joy and camaraderie of building a global community—spanning 32 countries and 447 cities—to the personal trials like the emotional loss of my horse, Dallas, this podcast has been a testament to resilience and growth. Whether you're from the bustling streets of Mexico City or a quiet town in Germany, your support has been the wind beneath our wings. It's humbling to see listeners tuning in from nearly every U.S. state, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you.

As we look toward the future, I'm excited to share more stories and insights that resonate with you. Your continued support means the world to me, so don't forget to follow and rate Only Child Diaries on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you prefer. Your reviews are invaluable in helping others join our community. Also, stay connected with all the latest updates on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Together, we've navigated life's challenges and celebrated its triumphs, and I can't wait to embark on the next chapter with you. Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible journey!

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Ever wondered why some people seem naturally confident while others struggle to find their footing? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I unravel the complexities of confidence, drawing from my own life as an only child. In this episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, I peel back the layers of parent-child relationships to reveal how they shape our self-assurance. From fear-based teachings to nurturing environments, we'll explore the myriad ways our upbringing can set the stage for our confidence—or lack thereof—well into adulthood.

Discover practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a sprinkle of humor as we discuss how to build confidence from within, regardless of your childhood experiences. By understanding the roots of our fears and actively challenging them, we can break free from limitations and grow into more assured versions of ourselves. Whether you're an only child or have siblings, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips to help you navigate the journey to self-confidence. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that promises to leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace your true potential.

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Ever felt like holiday weeks are a whirlwind of excitement and stress? I sure have! On this special Independence Day episode of the Only Child Diaries podcast, join me, Tracy Wallace, as I share my own 4th of July plans—from yard work to streaming marathons—and reflect on the unique joys and challenges of summer holidays. Discover how I balance relaxation with productivity, even while juggling a new remote job and trying to make the most of my time off.

But that's not all—I'll also dive into the often overlooked challenge of keeping our pets calm during fireworks. With personal anecdotes about my dog and cat's anxiety, I'll share some tried-and-true strategies to ensure a stress-free holiday for everyone in the household. Whether you're looking for tips on pet care, or just want a lighthearted chat about holiday weekends, this episode has something for you. So grab a seat, kick back, and let's make the most out of this 4th of July together!

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Have you ever felt faint just hearing the word 'blood'? You're not alone. Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I recount my journey from childhood fainting episodes to becoming an adult who can tolerate blood draws—almost. I’ll share how my husband played a crucial role in desensitizing me, and how I went from feeling woozy at just the thought of blood in high school biology class to managing blood draws sitting upright. Just like a grownup! We'll also get into the nitty-gritty of "shy veins" and whether they really roll away from the needle or if that's just a myth.

Laugh along with my embarrassing stories and gain some tips for your own squeamish moments. Whether you're someone who needs to distract yourself or you've heard conflicting information about tricky veins, this episode aims to make you feel less isolated in your struggles with medical procedures. If you’ve ever felt unprepared for life's little challenges, tune in for a relatable and humorous discussion on navigating adulthood with a bit of grace and a lot of laughs.

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What if your worst headaches were more than just headaches? Join me, Tracy Wallace, as I unravel my battle with migraines, shedding light on the unexpected turns and lessons learned along the way. Discover how a gentle nudge from my husband led to a pivotal doctor's visit, confirming that my debilitating pain was, in fact, chronic migraines. I'll walk you through my journey with daily medication, particularly Topamax, and how its side effects—both challenging and somewhat amusing—became part of my new normal.

Managing migraines isn't just about medication. I'll share the financial hurdles of affording prescriptions Relpax and the tough decisions on when to use these precious pills. Through this episode, you'll get a glimpse into the everyday life of someone juggling chronic pain and the importance of seeking medical advice sooner rather than later. With a mix of personal anecdotes and practical insights, my hope is to offer support and a touch of humor for anyone who faces similar struggles. Tune in and let's navigate this together!

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Ever thought a simple clogged sink could unravel a web of home maintenance nightmares? Discover how a routine plumbing fix turned into an unexpected adventure in homeownership on the latest episode of Only Child Diaries. I’m Tracy Wallace, sharing my firsthand experiences of dealing with a pipe disaster, the surprising complications that followed, and the crucial lessons I learned along the way. From managing a significant leak to navigating the world of plumbing repairs, this episode is packed with candid stories and practical insights that will resonate with anyone who's ever faced the unpredictable challenges of maintaining their own home.

But the real question is, how does a person become GOOD at this home ownership thing?  How do you learn all that you have to learn so that you A) don't spend all your money and B) don't lose your mind? 

But that's not all—we need your support to keep the Only Child Diaries podcast thriving! Follow us on your favorite platform, leave us a rating and review to help others find our show, and spread the word among friends who might enjoy our stories. Plus, connect with us on Instagram at Only Child Diaries and on Facebook at Only Child Diaries Podcast for more updates and behind-the-scenes content. Your engagement means everything, and we can’t wait to share more of our homeownership journey with you. Thanks for tuning in!

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Imagine a world where black-and-white TV brings you more joy than the latest high-def series. We're taking a nostalgic trip back to one of the greatest comfort shows of all time, "I Love Lucy." I'll be sharing my personal love affair with Lucy, from the days it brightened my childhood to how it continues to be my go-to comfort on streaming services like Pluto TV. We'll uncover some fascinating behind-the-scenes gems, focusing on the delightful contributions of Lucille Ball's close friends, Barbara Pepper and Hazel Pierce. Their recurring bit parts and stand-in roles add a unique and charming layer to the classic series that you won't want to miss.

But that's not all—let's also revel in the impeccable style and unmatched talent of Lucille Ball herself. Join me in appreciating her stunning wardrobe, her iconic red hair, and her remarkable athleticism that brought her physical comedy to life. Lucy’s dancing skills and energetic presence made her performances a joy to watch, and I'll share some of my favorite moments that still make me laugh out loud. So grab your dinner and get comfortable because you're invited to enjoy some classic "I Love Lucy" episodes with me. And stay tuned for next week's exciting new topic—you won't want to miss it!

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Ever been playfully accused of looking like an "old lady" by a cheeky four-year-old? That's exactly what happened to me, Tracy Wallace, sparking a mix of laughter and self-reflection. And let's face it, angst!  Join me as we navigate the uncharted waters of relating to children when you're not a parent yourself, reflecting on how my upbringing as an only child has influenced my interactions with the younger generation. With humor and a bit of soul-searching, we'll tackle the complexities of aging and self-perception, sharing insights on how to resonate with kids and what it means to embrace our age with grace.

This episode isn't just a stroll down memory lane; it's an honest look at the bridges and barriers between us and the pint-sized members of society. We're bypassing the typical "how to" guides on adulting and instead, sharing authentic experiences and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're an only child or not, you'll find a kindred spirit in the stories shared, a laugh in the quirks of intergenerational exchange, and maybe, just maybe, a newfound appreciation for the wisdom that comes with every candle on the birthday cake. No guests, just real talk and a whole lot of heart as we peel back the layers of what it means to grow older without losing our youthful spark.

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This week we're finally back with our peppy intro music .  The shadow of loss has draped itself over recent days, with the departure of my cherished horse, Dallas, on March 17th. Yet, in the gentle sway of life's unyielding pendulum, I find a glimmer of hope and the resilience to carry on. Join me as I navigate the terrain of grief with a touch of humor and unfiltered honesty, sharing how the remembrance of those we've loved and lost can be woven into the tapestry of living.

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the profound impact of loss and the absence it carves in our lives. As I recount personal stories alongside my husband, Bill, we confront the reality of saying farewell to not only treasured pets but also friends and family who have left too soon. Delicate yet resolute, I reflect on the process of grieving without the comfort of conventional religious or spiritual practices. I invite you, our listeners, to share in the lessons learned and the strength gained from these experiences, honoring the delicate balance between mourning and celebrating the memories we hold dear.

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As the sun sets on another day, I find myself walking the familiar path of reflection and remembrance, a journey many of us know all too well. This week's episode is a heartfelt exploration of the persistent echoes of loss, marking the 8th week without Dallas and how a blend of work and family has become a beacon of light in darker times. I also pay homage to Gina, my dearest friend of 32 years, on what would have been her 65th birthday.  while discussing the complex emotions that arise when joyous occasions like a Knott's Berry Farm visit remind us of those no longer here. The unexpected loss of local news station KTLA's reporter Sam Rubin also serves as a reminder that every day is a gift.

I share with you my own steps towards healing, understanding that the process is as gradual as the changing of the seasons. Next week, we'll shift gears to tackle a fresh topic, but for now, let's hold space for the stories and memories that keep the spirits of our loved ones alive. Join me as we find solace together in the shared narratives of life, loss, and the slow but steady journey towards light.

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